Why Investing in Industrial Hemp Is a Smart Choice

Industrial Hemp: A Versatile Resource

Industrial hemp is used to produce a wide range of commercial and industrial products, including rope, textiles, clothing, footwear, food, paper, bioplastics, insulation, and biofuel. Thanks to the explosive growth of consumer goods made from hemp, the global hemp market is expected to reach $10.6 billion by 2025. The cannabis industry is definitely one to watch in the coming years.

The Hemp Textile Industry in Russia

Currently, there is no large-scale industrial hemp textile production in Russia. With cotton supplies from Uzbekistan and Turkey dwindling and China only providing surplus, Russia may have to return to using flax and hemp. Producing one kilogram of cotton requires 9,758 kg of water, while industrial hemp needs only 2,401 to 3,401 kg per kilogram. This means a 75% water savings. The era of industrial hemp is on the rise.

Hemp: A Trend in the Fashion Industry

The fashion industry is facing an environmental crisis. Synthetic fibers, which are much cheaper to produce in large quantities, make up 60% of global fiber consumption. However, tiny plastic particles that break off from our synthetic sweaters during washing account for a significant 34.8% of microplastics in the ocean. Other natural fibers, like cotton, are resource-intensive. For example, producing a single cotton T-shirt requires about 713 gallons (2,699 liters) of water.

Advantages of Hemp Fabric

• It is the strongest of all natural fabrics, outperforming both cotton and linen.
• The material is breathable and highly absorbent, wicking moisture away from the body and keeping you comfortable even in hot weather.
• Hemp fabric is dielectric, helping to retain warmth in cold weather.
• It has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, preventing odors and killing harmful bacteria and fungi on the skin.
• The material offers built-in protection against harmful UV rays, making it safe to wear in the sun.
• Unlike cotton, hemp fabric doesn’t wrinkle much for a natural fiber. You can pack it in a suitcase without worrying about pulling out a wrinkled garment.
• Hemp blends well with other fabrics of different densities and is traditionally used for embroidery.
• It is hypoallergenic and does not irritate even the sensitive skin of infants.
• Growing hemp does not require pesticides or chemical treatments, making it one of the most eco-friendly fabrics in the world.

Hemp in the Defense Industry

For centuries, every city and village around the world had workshops making ropes, cords, and cables. Russia, for example, was once a global leader in this field. Hemp ropes, cords, and cables were of the highest quality and accounted for 80% of all hemp products in the West from 1740 to 1940.

Thomas Paine described four essential natural resources for the new nation in his work “Common Sense” (1776): “cordage, iron, timber, and tar.” The most important among them was hemp for cordage. He wrote, “…hemp grows here in abundance, so we will never lack for cordage.” He then listed everything needed for war with the British Navy: cannons, gunpowder, and so on.

And that’s just textiles and the defense industry. There are also food products, building materials, vehicles, plastics, and much more that can be made from hemp.

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