Why Industry Leaders Are Betting on Hemp Plastic

Stella McCartney with her Savian collection long coat which uses hemp

Source

Similarly, businesses across industries are using hemp plastic

Why? With so many bioplastic sources available, why are the big shots betting on hemp? 

Well, there are many advantages of hemp-based bioplastic. 

1. Hemp plastic offers superior material properties

When industry leaders choose a material, it’s not just about being eco-friendly. Of course, they need to meet their ESG goals and ensure they are sustainable. But the eco-friendly material they use also needs to deliver on quality and performance.

Hemp plastic excels here. 

For starters, hemp plastic is incredibly strong and durable. Plus, it has a higher strength-to-weight ratio as compared to steel. This makes it perfect for demanding applications like automotive parts and construction materials.

Hemp plastic is also naturally resistant to UV light. So they don’t degrade as quickly when exposed to the sun. This makes hemp plastic ideal for packaging and building materials.

That’s not all. Hemp plastic is lightweight too.

Studies and experiments also found that hemp plastic is lighter compared to traditional materials like fiberglass and polypropylene. This is while still having a higher tensile strength. So it also becomes ideal for industries like automotive and aerospace, where reducing weight directly improves fuel efficiency.

2. Hemp plastic can cut overall lifecycle costs in the long run

Cost is king in any industry.

Hemp plastic has a higher upfront cost than traditional plastic, agreed. But it can help save money over time.

How?

For one, hemp plastic is lightweight. So it reduces transportation costs for the material. Also, in the automotive industry, lighter cars mean better fuel efficiency. So manufacturers (and consumers) save money.

Two, hemp plastic is durable. This means products made from hemp plastic can last longer.

This, in turn, reduces the need for frequent replacements, especially in high-stress applications like machinery parts, where performance and longevity are critical. 

For consumer products like outdoor furniture, hemp plastic offers extended use and resilience, leading to less frequent repairs or replacements. 

3. Hemp is an abundantly available resource

Plastics are made from finite fossil fuels but hemp is a renewable resource. It can be grown and harvested every four to six months. So there will always be a supply of hemp available.

Hemp is also a low-maintenance crop. It requires less water and fewer pesticides than other crops that can be used to make bioplastic (examples include corn and sugarcane).

Hemp is incredibly versatile too. Every part of the plant can be used. The strong hemp fibers can be used for textiles and building materials and the cellulose from the stalks is perfect for creating eco-friendly bioplastic.

Also, one acre of hemp can produce as much cellulose for bioplastic as four to ten acres of trees. 

4. Hemp plastic reduces carbon footprint and combat plastic pollution

Hemp can sequester up to 1.63 tons of CO2 per ton of hemp produced. It absorbs more CO2 than most crops and even some trees. Essentially, it acts as a natural carbon sink.

But the environmental benefits don’t stop there. 

Hemp also improves the environment as it grows. 

It:

• Needs fewer pesticides and fertilizers
• Prevents soil erosion and enriches soil
• Requires less water than many crops

At the end of its lifecycle, hemp plastic is completely biodegradable. Unlike traditional plastics that hang around for hundreds of years, hemp plastic breaks down naturally, reducing long-term waste and helping to fight the growing issue of microplastics in our ecosystems.

5. Hemp plastic helps meet the demands of eco-conscious consumers

Consumers are demanding more sustainable products. Companies have no other option but to listen and deliver.

In fact, a survey by Nielsen even found that 66% of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable goods.