Millions of people across the country are learning the utility and futuristic versatility of industrial hemp. From personal to the physical, industrial, and practical applications of hemp, there seems to be new and exciting news about industrial hemp every day. One of the most exciting and least appreciated applications for hemp actually comes in the form of what many would consider to be a byproduct: Hemp Hurd. What is it? How is it made? Let’s explore the eco-friendly solution that is hemp hurd step by step:

What is Hemp Hurd?

Industrial hemp, like most agricultural products, must be processed down into specific components depending on it’s intended final utilization. Most of these processes strip the hemp plant of the less-fibrous outer stalks, leaving the more mature and wood-like inner stalks to be spent as byproducts. With an added degree of refinement, these leftovers can be easily turned into hemp hurd; also sometimes referred to as hemp shives or core fibers. The high-fiber, highly resilient material can be used for a plethora of applications.

How is it Useful?

Originally hemp hurd was found to be useful as animal bedding, much like the traditionally dried grass, hay. While animals large and small can lay comfortably on this resilient product, recently hemp hurd has been found to have more exciting and sustainable applications! Hemp hurd can be additionally utilized as a crude insulation material, as it is incredibly resistant to mold, fire, and pests. Because of the way in which industrial hemp is grown, hemp hurd is quickly being considered as one of the most sustainable options for exploring new building technologies. 

Hemp Hurd Futures:

Despite initially being regarded as a waste product of the industrial hemp industries, hemp hurd has been utilized in many “future-use” studies in recent years. The most exciting yields of these studies have been the incredibly eco-friendly development of hempcrete. 

Hempcrete is exactly what it sounds like: a high-density building material with similar properties to those of traditional concrete. The material, sometimes referred to as hemplime, was first utilized with notoriety in France in the 1990’s, but has lagged behind it’s potential due to the relatively negative world opinions of industrial hemp. As the world has become increasingly accepting of industrial hemp and it’s potential, hempcrete has quickly become a point of focus for many eco-development groups. 

What is Hempcrete?

While some other bioconglomerates have been examined for their potential in construction, hempcrete is by far the most sustainable and planet-friendly. Made up of only hemp hurds, lime, sand (or another binding polymer), and water, hempcrete weighs only one eighth of traditional concrete by volume. The fiber-dense and highly water, fire, and pest resistant nature of hemp hurd makes hempcrete an incredibly sustainable and resilient building or insulating material. 

As with all other uses for industrial hemp, hemp hurd and hempcrete are exceedingly eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products. Because hemp grows so densely and has little-to-no risk of pest-based loss, the environmental impact of hemp products is incredibly low. As hempcrete grows in popularity, you can expect to see market accessibility skyrocket as costs begin to fall. Happy planet, happy wallet, happy people!

Looking to get into the hempcrete game ahead of the curve? Consider your friends at the Hemp Farm Collective. Our seed-to-ship approach to industrial hemp ensures that only the highest quality, environmentally sustainable products are shipped to you to begin the next step in their production journey. Looking to buy wholesale hemp hurd or learn more about wholesale hempcrete?  We can help you today, contact us.

How is wholesale hemp hurd shipped? Shipping is coordinated with the end buyer based on your preferred shipping method and quality purchased.  The standard format in the domestic US is ground shipping by the pallet.  Pallets of wholesale hemp hurd are approximately 200 lbs. 

Contact us today and we can arrange a sample for your building project using wholesale hemp hurd!