Hemp Textiles
Overview
Hemp and flax are traditional fibre crops which can be grown in a wide range of climates including the UK. These low input crops need few chemicals and hemp in particular is easy to grow organically. The fabrics produced are renowned for their durability and ability to "breathe". The original jeans were made from hemp. Hemp and flax can provide an alternative to non-organic cotton, which uses more water, pesticides, weed-killers and artificial fertilisers than any other crop.
BioRegional carried out a practical trial resulting in the production of the first UK grown pure hemp fabric for generations which was made into a jacket by Katharine Hamnett. We found that new harvesting technology is needed to produce fibre of the right quality and price. BioRegional are now working with industry and farmers to test new processing methods and establish hemp textile production in both the UK and developing countries to supply major stores.
Downloads
- Feasibility of Hemp Textile Production in the UK
- An assessment of the technical and economic feasibility of growing and processing hemp fibre in the UK for textiles
- Hemp Textiles in Britain - opportunities for bioregional development
- BioRegional paper presented at Industrial hemp conference
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