Can You Use Hemp Plastic for 3D Printing
October 27, 2025

Can You Use Hemp Plastic for 3D Printing?

Just a few years ago, 3D printing was mostly a hobby. 

People were printing tiny trinkets, toys, or quirky gadgets in garages and maker labs. 

Fast forward to today, and entire houses are being 3D printed. 

Aerospace companies are producing aircraft components layer by layer. 

Hospitals are creating custom prosthetics and surgical tools.

Source: The Economist

So 3D printing is no longer experimental. It’s mainstream manufacturing.

But with great innovation comes a hidden cost.

Most printers still rely on petroleum-derived polymers like ABS, PETG, or PLA. Every kilogram of filament created from fossil fuels adds to pollution, microplastics, and waste that lasts a long time.

The good news is that there’s a plant-based alternative that changes everything: hemp 3D printing.

But the question remains: Can hemp really be used for 3D printing, and if so, how effective is it?

Can Hemp Really Be Used for 3D Printing?

The short answer: Yes. 

The long answer: Not only is it possible, it’s practical, proven, and scaling fast.

Hemp plastic 3D printing works through bio-based composite filaments made by combining industrial hemp fibers with PLA (polylactic acid). 

This blend results in a printable material that works with nearly any regular or hemp plastic 3D printer setup already in use. 

In other words, manufacturers don’t need to buy new machines to make the switch.

Technically, hemp fibers serve as reinforcement inside the polymer matrix. 

This fiber improves both mechanical and thermal performance. 

The natural cellulose of hemp also increases the rigidity and impact resistance of the filament while reducing brittleness. Thus, it solves one of PLA’s biggest drawbacks.

Some tests have shown that hemp-PLA composites have 20–25% higher tensile strength and better inter-layer adhesion.

Here’s what makes hemp a strong fit for additive manufacturing:

  • Cellulose microfibrils in hemp improve structural stability
  • Low shrinkage ratio ensures better print accuracy
  • Reduced warping and cracking, especially for large-scale prints
  • Superior surface finish, with a natural matte texture

Hemp 3D material is light, renewable, and easy on printer nozzles. That means lower maintenance and longer-lasting machines for industrial users.

So yes, 3D printing with hemp isn’t an experiment anymore. It’s an emerging material category redefining what “eco-efficient” manufacturing can look like.

What Benefits Does Hemp Offer?

Here are a few benefits of sustainable hemp printing:

1. It’s Environmentally Sustainable

Hemp absorbs up to 1.6 kilograms of CO₂ per kilogram of biomass during its rapid growth cycle. It is one of the most carbon-negative crops on Earth. When used for sustainable hemp printing, it replaces petroleum feedstocks. Thus, significantly reducing life-cycle emissions.