US’ IND Hemp and Hempitecture have signed a supply chain partnership for natural hemp fibres for Hempitecture’s nonwoven Hempwool insulation to be grown, processed and manufactured in the western United States. IND Hemp is coordinating genetics, agronomy and contracting production acres of industrial hemp fibre in Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
The company is the ‘supply’ in supply chain performing ‘first touch’ decortication processing- the initial separation of raw materials direct from the farm to produce a consistent supply of raw hemp bast fibre at scale. Hempitecture has market proven their Hempwool insulation product, branded as ‘the most sustainable, high performing insulation material on the planet’ for the past few years and is currently in construction of the factory that will make the nonwoven airlaid insulation product in Jerome, Idaho, IND Hemp said in a press release.
The two companies share values and a strong commitment to sustainability and doing better by the planet. Hemp can capture and remove more CO2 from the atmosphere per acre annually than a forest or other agricultural crops. In addition to the carbon sequestered into the soil while the plant is growing, the plant biomass above the ground is an average of 45 per cent carbon. When the fibres are processed into insulation and built into a home, that CO2 is durably sequestered and locked up into the material, while also offsetting more energy intensive processes and the carbon footprints of existing materials, such as glass fibre insulation.
“Hempitecture’s partnership with IND Hemp represents more than just a critical supply chain solution. It represents the restoration of American manufacturing, the empowerment of rural economies and forward-thinking innovation in sustainable materials. We look forward to innovating the building products of the future with IND Hemp’s processed hemp fibre,” Hempitecture co-founder and CEO Mattie Mead, said in a statement.
“IND Hemp is dedicated to supporting rural economies and providing sustainable solutions to industry. We are excited about Hempitecture’s products and use of natural fibre in construction materials. This continues to showcase how IND Hemp’s products and sustainability benefits can be adopted successfully across a wide range of applications,” Trey Riddle, chief strategy officer for IND Hemp, said.
IND Hemp is a family owned, mission-driven agricultural hemp food, feed and fibre production and processing company with a dedicated focus on creating opportunities for farmers and rural communities in Montana and across the west. IND Hemp has built the processing infrastructure- ten-acre greenfield site with a 52,000 square feet production facility around a five ton per hour Laroche bast fibre decortication processing line that came online in Q1 2022.
Hempitecture is a public benefit corporation specialising in the manufacturing and distribution of biobased building materials that are healthier for both people and the planet. Through the utilisation of plant-based resources such as industrial hemp and nonwoven manufacturing technology, Hempitecture’s materials are designed to increase the comfort and health of our built environment.