The industrial hemp industry is a powerhouse of innovation, constantly finding new ways to turn this versatile plant into sustainable solutions for modern problems. In a recent episode of the iHemp Hour, host Dave Crabill sat down with Greg Dean, a 35-year veteran of the materials industry and founder of The Hemp Plastic Company, to discuss how hemp is set to revolutionize the world of plastics.
The episode also features the latest news from around the state with Mike Brennan of the Michigan Marijuana Report and iHemp Michigan’s own Blaine.
The Main Event: Can Hemp Solve Our Plastic Problem?
For decades, we’ve relied on fossil fuels to create the plastics that are part of our daily lives. Greg Dean is changing that. After a long career in conventional plastics, he saw an opportunity to create a better, more sustainable alternative.
His company, The Hemp Plastic Company, is at the forefront of this change. Here are the key takeaways from his discussion:
- A Smarter Filler: Hemp plastic works by displacing traditional, fossil fuel-based resins with a biological filler—hemp. This isn’t a new concept, but hemp is uniquely suited for the job. Thanks to its incredible ability to sequester carbon as it grows, it offers a massive environmental advantage over mineral fillers like talc, which can’t be replenished.
- Solving the Farmer’s Dilemma: Historically, hemp was grown primarily for CBD, leaving the rest of the plant’s biomass with limited uses. Hemp plastic creates a valuable market for the entire plant, providing farmers with a crucial customer for a crop that was previously difficult to sell.
- Wide-Ranging Applications:
- Automotive: The auto industry is actively exploring hemp composites to “lightweight” vehicles. Hemp-filled plastic is about 10% lighter than the glass-filled polypropylene commonly used, which helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce a vehicle’s carbon footprint.
- Packaging: The packaging industry, especially the cannabis sector, is a prime market. Hemp plastic offers a sustainable solution for everything from containers to cartridges, allowing cannabis products to be sold in cannabis packaging.
- Consumer Goods: From architectural panels and flooring to durable coolers and even hemp frisbees, the possibilities are endless.
- The Future is Bright: While the current blend is about 25% hemp, Greg believes that with further research and development, a 50/50 hemp-plastic blend is achievable. The ultimate goal? To polymerize the hemp plant itself, creating a 100% plant-based plastic, similar to how corn is used to make PLA.
Michigan Hemp & Cannabis News Roundup
The episode also covered several key updates for Michigan’s cannabis and hemp community:
- Tommy Chong is launching a new line of pre-rolled joints in Michigan with MKX.
- Legislation is being considered in Lansing to ban billboard advertising for marijuana.
- iHemp Michigan is offering free food safety handbook assistance for produce growers through a grant with the Michigan Farmers Union.
- USDA assistance is available for farmers who grew hemp in 2020 through the CFAP2 program.
- Hemp in Animal Feed is gaining traction, with efforts to pass proactive legislation in Michigan.
- Upcoming Events: Keep an eye out for a “Hemp-Crete Workshop” in June and monthly “Hemp Working Events” at various locations around the state.