Hemp Is The Green and Sustainable Alternative Europe Needs
Hemp is one of the earliest domesticated plants known, with roots dating back to the Neolithic Age in China. It has been one of the most significant crops for mankind up until last century. The main crisis for hemp arose in the 1930s in America due to propaganda created by companies in the new petroleum-based synthetic textile industry who saw hemp as the biggest threat to their businesses. The crisis was followed by the emergence of an anti-drug sentiment which made hemp completely unpopular in the 1950s. It is astonishing to see how the widespread use of hemp has been deteriorated to such an extent that people barely recognize it as anything but a plant that “gets you high”.
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) differs from drug hemp in its low content of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid that is responsible for the drug effect. It is also different from the genus Cannabis species used in medicinal applications. The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime has defined clear rules on how to distinguish a “drug type” cannabis plant from a “fiber type” cannabis plant. In practice, countries usually mention the maximum level of THC content allowed in hemp. For instance, the EU limit is 0.2%.
However, hemp is making a comeback! According to the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), the hemp sector is now the fastest growing industrial market segment worldwide. Over time, the use of hemp has evolved into a great variety of commercial products, including health foods, organic body care, clothing, construction materials, biofuels, plastic composites and more. But why hemp? Below are 6 reasons why hemp is the green and sustainable alternative Europe needs :
1 — Hemp is a farmer’s best friend
Not only does hemp grow in a variety of climates and soil types, it also grows very tightly spaced and has a fast growing rate. Moreover, because the crop improves soil health, farmers can grow food crops immediately after a hemp harvest without a fallow period.
In the Essonne region in France, farmers diversify their activity thanks to the cultivation of hemp. Fibre and seeds can be sold to produce paper, insulation materials, animal food and bedding, as well as oil for cosmetics. The hemp segment in Essonne is 100% local and sustainable. The region currently has one of the biggest cultivating areas in Europe (over 1000 hectares in 2018).
2 — Hemp is environmentally (very) friendly
The environmental impact of hemp is very low. Did you ever wonder where the term “weed” came from? The hemp plant grows like one, obviating the need for more pesticides (it is naturally resistant to most pests), herbicides, fungicides and thriving on less water than most crops. The EIHA also points out that “the production of hemp is carbon-negative, which means it absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere during its growth than is emitted by the equipment used to harvest, process and transport it.” And as if that wasn’t convincing enough, a study published this month in the journal Biomass and Bioenergy shows that the crop attracts a wide variety of bees. Now, if that’s not great news for the environment, I don’t know what is!
“The production of hemp is carbon-negative, which means it absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere during its growth than is emitted by the equipment used to harvest, process and transport it.”
3 — Hemp seed oil is a natural beauty ingredient
Hemp seed oil has been used as a beauty ingredient for centuries. Many organic and natural brands, such as French brand Natessance, commercialise hemp oil. A study published by the American Academy of Dermatology Association on CBD for Beauty and Skin Disorders shows that the properties of hemp and of the cannabinoids (such as cannabidiol, or CBD) naturally present in the plant actually go beyond the beauty benefits, by helping relieve the symptoms of skin disorders such as Acne, Psoriasis or Eczema. Young and innovative entrepreneurs all over Europe have started developing natural hemp-based beauty products. For instance, French brand Ho Karan has developed a range of 100% natural hemp-based cosmetic products, including soaps, deodorants, creams and oils.
4 — Hemp fiber is a smart and sustainable alternative to cotton
Did you know that hemp was the earliest plant cultivated for textile fiber? Nowadays, cotton is a very popular resource used in clothing production. However, there are several (very good) reasons why cotton is less environmentally friendly than hemp. First, water. Growing hemp requires half the amount of water needed to grow cotton. Second, pesticides. Hemp requires no pesticides to grow while the production of cotton takes up about 25% of the world’s pesticide use. Third, resistance. Although there is no denying that cotton fibre is softer than hemp at first, the hemp fibre is a stronger natural fibre that, like cotton, gets progressively softer as you wear it. According to Patagonia, hemp is a fabric “comparable to linen”. As hemp fiber is stronger and more resistant than cotton, buying clothes made with hemp fabric would mean having to buy less clothes ! Is this a move you would be willing to make for the environment?
5 — Hemp could save trees
Hemp can be used to replace almost all cellulose-based products that are currently being manufactured using trees, such as paper. Indeed, trees contain a relatively small amount of cellulose, the primary ingredient for paper. However, hemp has a much higher concentration of cellulose and has a long history of being used for paper. The Chinese were the first to recognize the usefulness of hemp in papermaking. In approximately 150 BC, they produced the world’s first paper, completely from hemp.
6 — Hemp could make Europe a lot of money
Hemp was already nicknamed the “Billion Dollar Crop” in the 1930s. As the 5 previous points show, the economic potential of hemp is massive. The total hemp cultivation area in the EU is more than 42,500 hectares (in 2018). Europe has a unique opportunity to establish a leading position within one of the most important and rapidly growing agricultural and industrial markets.
If you’re curious about the potential of hemp-derived products and want to be updated about our events, feel free to write to our executive director laurene@tradeactive.org
Read more
- What is ACTIVE?
- Medical Cannabis & Wellness Hemp/CBD in Europe — Join the Field and Make a Name for Yourself
- China Launches Industrial Hemp Market at 0.3% THC to Produce CBD for Health and Wellbeing
- France Needs to Revise its Hemp Regulations If It Wants to Comply with EU Law
- If you want to know more about hemp, you should follow the work of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA)
About Us
ACTIVE (Association for Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Innovative Ventures in Europe) is the first pan-European trade association for cannabinoids and terpenes uniting companies, scientists, thought leaders, and investors in key European markets. We protect, educate, and connect stakeholders with a stake in medical cannabis and wellness hemp to coordinate a unified voice.
