A new report by ResearchandMarkets com predicts, global industrial hemp market will grow from $5.6 billion in 2020 to $17.4 billion by 2027. Experts in the US expect year 2021 to be a strong year for hemp production as more farmers will integrate the crop in their daily cultivation. Demand for hemp has been persistent in the US market. The crop is used in many different materials and products. As per a Yahoo report, it is used by fashion brands in new collections. Denim brand Levi Strauss & Co often uses hemp in jeans as it prevents the knees from wearing out.
Cheap rates and availability boosts demand
Experts claim, hemp is 10 times stronger than steel. It can be used by car and electric vehicle manufacturers to strengthen
door panels and other vehicle parts. Henry Ford, Founder of Ford Motor Company often used hemp in cars designs. Hemp can also prove to be good substitute for wood as hemp-based materials are not only cheaper but also more easily available. Contractors can use hemp to make hardwood floors and wood paneling. They can use the material to create new concrete called ‘hempcrete’ from processed biomass.
Currently, flower strains of the CBD variant of hemp are in great demand. They are used by companies to create pet bedding and lining materials for animals of all sizes. Generation Hemp Inc, a Dallas/Fort Worth-based company, has set up a new company to process hemp by merging two entities, Energy Hunter Resources and Home Treasure Finders Inc.
Minimizing degradation with drying and testing
Since most hemp grown in the US is of the CBD and other cannabinoid variant, it is crucial to preserve the cannabinoid content and terpenes. Kentucky-based Halcyon Thruput offers advanced drying services to process hemp plants delicately in order to maximize quality and minimize degradation. The company’s cleaning system, removes hemp stalks, stems and seeds efficiently while the filtration system meets biomass specifications within hours of harvest.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has directed all hemp farmers to have their crop tested on a regular basis. The Certificate of Analysis (COA) testing of hemp is done by extraction labs and third-party testing labs in key sectors of the business. Halcyon provides its customers with verified results in just a few minutes.
Connecting with buyers and distributors
Most of the hemp grown in the US is still dried by hand. The entire process is not only labor-intensive but also weather-sensitive. It forces farmers to deal with their buyers directly. Farmers can therefore, team up with service providers like Generation Hemp and GenH Halcyon to connect with buyers and distributors.
The waste generated from processing hemp, known as hurd or shiv, can be used to create hemp-based construction materials. It can also be used to make animal bedding. The hemp material can also be used in other industrial applications if farmers assure a consistent supply. Soon, the US may also be able to displace imports and become a self-reliant in hemp production.
