Hemp paper: The environmentally friendly alternative

Hemp paper is made from hemp fibers, which are extracted from the hemp plant. The production of hemp paper is a much more environmentally friendly process compared to conventional paper made from wood. In this article we will take a closer look at how paper is made from hemp and why it can become an environmentally friendly alternative.

How is hemp paper made?

The hemp fibers are processed into a raw material in a process called pulping, which is then used to make paper. Compared to the production of wood paper, the process of hemp paper production is more environmentally friendly. An important factor is that hemp plants grow much faster than trees.

Why is hemp paper more environmentally friendly?

Since hemp grows much faster than trees, hemp paper is ahead in terms of sustainability. used for the production of wood paper. Although the effort required for cultivation and harvesting is greater due to the shorter growth cycles, the area required can be significantly reduced. In addition, the use of chemicals in the production of hemp paper is much less compared to wood paper, because it is already naturally much whiter than wood paper.

In the end, it always depends on what the cultivation is compared to. An intensively managed hemp field can hardly compete with sustainable forestry. However, today mainly tree plantations are used for paper production, as the huge demand for paper can hardly be met with natural forests.

In the end, the most environmentally friendly variant of paper is still recycled paper. But hemp paper also offers a big advantage here: the long fibers are more resilient than wood fibers and can accordingly be recycled for longer.

Advantages of hemp paper

Besides the environmental aspects, there are other advantages of hemp paper. It’s very durable and long-lasting, which means it’s less likely to break or yellow quickly. Hemp paper also has very high strength, which means that it can be used for printing documents and other materials. It is also highly absorbent, which means it is good for making tissues, toilet paper and other paper-based hygiene products.

Conclusion

Hemp paper is an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional paper made from wood. It is made from hemp fiber, which grows faster than trees and therefore needs to be grown on less land. Paper production from hemp is also less energy intensive and requires the use of fewer chemicals. It is very durable and resistant and can be used for various purposes. Replacing one or the other tree plantation with hemp and increasing the proportion of hemp fiber in our papers offers great potential.