Hemp and “marijuana” are two very different varieties of cannabis that come from the same species of plant (Cannabis sativa L). The hemp plant is a strain of cannabis that contains very low levels of THC, the psychoactive component. Hemp is legally defined as having less than
0.3% THC. Industrial hemp is used for its fiber, so it is grown to produce only trace amounts of THC. In addition, industrial hemp fiber is typically harvested before fully flowering, which further reduces the chance of it developing any THC.
Industrial hemp fiber can be used to create a variety of products including clothes, building materials, and bioplastics. Hemp fiber is a good alternative to other materials because it is better for the environment. Unlike cotton, hemp uses less water, does not require pesticides, and is considered a soil remediator.
In order to create products using industrial hemp fiber, famers grow the stalks to about 4 meters before they harvest. The stalks are then separated by a decorticator and processed into hemp hurd and fiber. The hemp hurd and fiber are then used in building products such as hempcrete, batting insulation, and HempWood™.
In order promote the development of the industrial hemp sector, the DON group of companies have launched several initiatives to. Understanding that the materials need to grow market share, DON Enterprise, Inc., decided to build Project PA Hemp Home, the first complete renovation of a house using hempcrete in Pennsylvania.
Hempcrete is an innovative and effective product for a variety of reasons. It is flame resistant (scored a zero on an ASTM testing scale of 0-450), has dynamic thermal properties allowing it to pass moisture from inside to outside, and because of the lime used in the mix it is mold and pest resistant.
The PA Hemp Home will feature HempWood™ flooring created with industrial hemp harvested from DON’s 2020 Hemp test Acres program. The home is a part of DON’s neighborhood revitalization program in New Castle. This project is a real-life demonstration of a “seed to structure” approach. The method uses locally produced materials and newly developed local supply chains that help contribute to local economic development.
In order to create the project, the houses had to be within DON’s existing revitalization project area, have a small footprint, and be available. The only candidate location which fit the criteria was purchased at a tax sale, sight unseen. Due to termite damage, nearly every stud and board in the house had to be replaced. The design of the home was done through a collaboration with Parsons School of Design’s Healthy Materials Lab.
Industrial hemp fiber is changing the way we look at building materials and environmental standards. The goal of PA Hemp Home is to show that industrial hemp fiber is a locally produced material which can be used to construct healthy, safe, and durable homes.
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