The hemp construction industry has flourished across Europe for decades, with some companies progressing this field for over 60 years. In the last decade, the sector has witnessed remarkable growth, driven by the increasing popularity of hempcrete – a bio-composite material crafted from industrial hemp, lime, and water. Hempcrete offers numerous advantages over traditional concrete, making it an attractive choice for modern construction projects.
Hemp construction is attracting interest globally as developers worldwide increasingly prioritize greener alternatives to conventional building materials. The demand for renewable and sustainable solutions has surged, fuelling growth of a hemp construction industry. According to industry analysts, the global hemp concrete market, which includes hemp blocks, was valued at $5.49 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.5% from 2024 to 2030 .*1
Popularity & Benefits:
One of the main draws of Hemp as a cultivar is its capacity as a renewable, biodegradable material that absorbs CO2 during growth.
Aside from hemp cultivation having an essential positive effect on our topsoil, using hemp blocks reduces the carbon footprint of buildings compared to traditional materials like concrete. Hemp blocks are non-toxic, breathable, and have excellent insulation properties; They reduce exposure to harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and VOCs traditionally used in binding agents and glues; therefore promote healthier indoor air quality and indoor environments. Gwer Delen a hemp consultancy based in Cornwall notes on its website, 'Hemp has excellent insulative and robust properties, making for a fully resistant and breathable insulation material keeping interiors cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Hemp advantages as a structural material is improved energy efficiency by maintaining a steady temperature. As a build material there is little shrinkage, so there are no crack lines along with being a breathable material. It is simple to use; it gains in strength over time. It can be viscous, making it useful in spraying and plastering, it can be used seamlessly around the building to create an airtight layer and its versatility allows it to be used in floors and roofs. It’s hygroscopic, so it absorbs moisture and humidity within the building, eliminating mould and moisture build up'.*8
The global production trends indicate the countries that have seen the biggest increases in hemp production in the past year are the US, EU and China.
Whilst Belgium also has a high production of hemp blocks, The US has a forecast for more than 20% increase in production.*1
Source: grandviewresearch.com*1 Source: Eurostar and European Commission *3
In the EU, the area dedicated to hemp cultivation increased by 60% from 20,540 hectares in 2015 to 33,020 hectares in 2022. In the same period, hemp production increased by 84.3% from 97,130 tonnes to 179,020 tonnes.*2 (As noted in above diagram *3 , In 2018 France was accounting for more than 60% of EU production; current data sourced could not find specific graphs on France's production increase in the past year).*3
Potentially China are the world's largest producer of hemp, based on their lead in overall hemp cultivation and the presence of major hemp block manufacturers covering a quarter of global production;*4 The C Words current research does not quantify China's production increase in the past year.*5
top left* 4 : China Industrial Hemp, 2019
bottom left *5 : Global hemp acreage comparison, 2017
top right *6 : Global production of hemp and its by-products, 2020
UK Adoption and Challenges:
While online content illustrates forecasts of hemp abroad, access to statistics on hemp and hemp block data for UK consumers and buyers is underdeveloped as the industry is still considered in its infancy. There is concern as to why the UK construction and regulation industry is currently not promoting bio-sustainable materials on a larger scale to meet its 2050 net zero targets *6. To accelerate the use of hemp and other bio-based materials in UK construction and help meet 2050 net zero goals, industry and regulators should consider investing in substantial research and statistics within the UK services sector. Current industry visions involve UK universities publishing research for implementation until 2030, but more research is needed on the environmental, economic, and social impacts of hemp cultivation and processing to build the case for its adoption.* 7
Source: University of York, Hemp-30 document, 'catalysing a step change in the production' *8
Regulation to support hemp cultivation and processing would be essential, as would raising awareness to distinguish industrial hemp from recreational cannabis. It is noted that whilst industrial hemp is low in THC and may contain higher CBD, it is legal for cultivation under licensing, and is used for industrial applications. Recreational and medicinal cannabis have higher THC levels, varying CBD levels, differing legal status based on state laws, and are used for their psychoactive or therapeutic effects respectively.*9
Hemp can be used to remediate top soil, restore the PH balance and clean toxins from the ground by a process called phytoremediation. Hemp was notably used in Russia to remove radioactive elements following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, with hemps extensive root system aiding in extracting these contaminants. One can reference Slavik Dushenkov for phytoremediation, a research scientist at Phytotech, an organization specialized in the cultivation of hemp and other plants. Dushenkov published over 39 peer-reviewed papers, textbooks, and other research documenting his work in environmental sciences and soil ecology.*10 In 1999 Dushenkov made a presentation of Phytotech's research on hemp's potential as a phytoremediator which triggered widespread interest in this application. Dushenkov stated that "Hemp has proved to be one of the best phytoremediation plants we have found" for decontaminating soils; he went on to collaborate with researchers from U.S. Department's on further evaluations of phytoremediation techniques.
Implementing UK investment in developing hemp supply chains and innovation to scale up production of products should be considered with demonstrations of cost savings from sustainable materials and build lifecycles essential for industry and end user housing market.
Hemp's high biomass production, carbon sequestration ability, fibrous roots, and suitability for no-till cultivation*11 make it an excellent crop for improving topsoil quality, increasing organic matter content, remediating contaminated soils, and promoting a healthy soil ecosystem. With concerted effort across these areas, hemp and other bio-based materials can play a much bigger role in helping the UK construction sector transition to net zero emission's by 2050.
Appendix:
USA Industrial Hemp market statistics
2. EU Industrial Hemp Market 2018
3. EU Industrial Hemp Market 2022
4. China 2019 Annual Hemp Report; Industrial Hemp Production
5. Global production of hemp and its by-products - Bioavailability and Bio efficacy of Hemp By-Products in Ruminant Meat Production and Preservation, 2020
6. The net zero target was made legally binding by the Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019. By 2050, the UK is legally required to have reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990 levels:
7. University of York, Hemp-30 Phase 1 report: 'catalysing a step change in the production'
8. Gwer Delen Hemp materials consultancy and supplier
9. Differences between Industrial hemp and recreational and medicinal cannabis
10. 'Phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soil at a New Jersey Brownfield site' by Dr. Michael J. Blaylock, Dr. Mark P. Elless, Dr. Jianwei W. Huang, Dr. Slavik M. Dushenkov
11. 'No till farming': Agricultural technique for growing crops without disturbing the soil.
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