Introduction

•  Quite simply, hemp is the world's premier renewable resource
•  Fuel, food, and fibre- the basic building blocks for an industrial society, all from a single plant source
•  Hemp is the number one plant for producing clothing, paper, plastics, building materials, food, beverages, cosmetics, methanol fuel and an impressive array of cleaning and paint products.
•  Industrial hemp is an incredible resource. Hemp is harvested for its fibres for hemp clothing and seeds for hemp oil . With a relatively short growth cycle of 100-120 days, it is an efficient and economical crop for farmers to grow,
•  The bark of the hemp stalk contains bast fibres which are among the Earth's longest natural soft fibres and are also rich in cellulose; the cellulose and hemi-cellulose in its inner woody core are called hurds. Hemp stalk is not psychoactive. Hemp fibre is longer, stronger, more absorbent and more isolative than cotton fibre.

History

• Hemp is among the oldest industries on the planet, going back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings of pottery. The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC.
• Hemp shoes have been found dating to 716 AD. Paper containing hemp fibres dated 140 - 87 BC has also been discovered in China.
• The ancient Egyptians also used hemp for paper, rope, and medicine. Hemp was used for pyramid construction.
• Hemp spread westward through Siberia, India, the Middle East and into Europe.
• Herodus (c450 BC) refers to hemp garments as being as fine as linen.
• The golden age of sailing ships in Europe in the 17th century was also a golden age for hemp, when nearly all the sailing canvas, ropes, nets and rigging, and even uniforms of sailors were made from cannabis hemp.
• Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp.
• CHINA is the largest exporter of hemp paper and textiles. The fabrics are of excellent quality.
• Hemp fibre contains a low amount of lignin, the organic glue that binds plant cells, which allows for environmentally friendly bleaching without the use of chlorine.
• In composite form, hemp is twice as strong as wood.
• All products made with hemp fibre are biodegradable.

Properties

• Among the characteristics of hemp fibre are its superior strength and durability, and its resistance to rot.
• Hemp can grow to 15 feet or more, making it excellent for textile production.
• Hemp fibre also has isolative qualities that allow clothing wearers to stay cool in summer and warm in the winter.
• It's good for the environment to purchase goods that are durable, and hemp goods are just that. Hemp jeans will last many times longer than cotton ones, hemp paper products will last centuries.
• High lustre

Disadvantages

• Hemp is often associated with marijuana
• Will weaken if bleached
• Will scorch or burn easily
• Will shrink if tumble dried
• It wrinkles easily and should not be creased excessively to avoid wear and breakage of the fibres.