Definition:
Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is a robust, fast-growing plant that has been used by humans for thousands of years. It is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and is grown for a variety of purposes – from fiber to food to medicine.
Positive sides of hemp
1. economic significance:
Hemp is a versatile crop with great economic potential. The hemp industry creates jobs in agriculture, processing, textile production and construction. Thanks to its rapid growth, hemp is very productive and sustainable, which makes it particularly attractive for the organic and circular economy.
2. sustainability and ecology:
Hemp requires little water, grows without the use of pesticides and fertilizers and improves soil quality. Its dense leaves suppress weeds and thus reduce the need for chemical weed killers. This makes hemp an ecological alternative to many other raw materials.
3. materiality and workmanship:
- Textiles: Hemp fibers are extremely robust, durable and breathable. Clothing and fabrics made from hemp are skin-friendly and biodegradable.
- Building and insulating materials: Hemp is used as a sustainable building material, for example in the form of hempcrete, which insulates heat, regulates moisture and binds CO₂.
- Paper: Hemp paper is more durable and requires fewer chemicals than wood paper.
- Bioplastics and composites: Hemp fibers serve as natural reinforcement in plastic composites and thus reduce the use of crude oil.
4. health and nutrition:
Hemp seeds are rich in protein, fiber, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. They are a nutrient-rich source of vegetable protein. Hemp extracts are also used in medicine to alleviate various ailments.
5. climate protection:
Hemp binds large amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere as it grows. The use of hemp products can therefore help to reduce the ecological footprint.
Summary
Hemp is an extremely versatile, sustainable and economically interesting plant with great potential in many branches of industry – from textiles and construction to food and medicine. Its ecological compatibility and versatile applications make hemp an important raw material for a sustainable future.