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 veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
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 Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] 
#6395928 - 12/22/06 01:25 AM (5 years, 5 months ago) |
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Hemp grows with technological advances
December 22, 2006 - businessedge.ca
By Sharon Adams
Plant replacing petroleum-based products for varied industrial uses
Ontario Hemp Alliance president Gordon
Scheifele inspects a seed production field.
The production of hemp doubled this year in Canada, with the grain moving from a niche product into the foodstuff mainstream as consumers developed their taste for hemp oil, hemp protein and seed.
Now producers of hemp-fibre products are poised for exponential growth, too, with the worldwide increase in consumer demand for sustainable goods.
"We've had a massive increase in acreage nationally to 45,000 acres from 22,000 in 2005," says Arthur Hanks, executive director of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, which is based in Saskatchewan.
"We've had strong markets," he notes, adding that some of the crop was produced on speculation because "hemp pays well" - about $38 per bushel.
Virtually all the hemp grown in Canada is now processed into comestible products - hemp oil, hemp nut seed and hemp protein, all lauded for their high protein content and superior essential fatty acid and amino acid profile.
The market has enjoyed strong growth since 1998, when hemp production was legalized in Canada.
Manitoba Harvest, which provides hemp oil, hemp nut seed, a non-dairy beverage, protein powder and hemp butter to more than 3,000 natural- food retailers in North America, Japan and Europe, has been growing at a rate of 50 per cent per year. Sales have reached $3 million this year alone.
In 2006, the company quadrupled the amount of land contracted for seed production. Organic, non-GMO seed is supplied by 25 farmers (also shareholders in the company) who have a total of 6,000 acres in production.
"They're leaders," says Hanks, "but by no means an anomaly in the industry."
Canadian nutritional hemp producers have enjoyed a competitive advantage.
Industrial hemp production is still illegal in the United States, where it's feared illicit drug dealers could hide plants high in THC, the psychoactive chemical found in hashish and marijuana, among the industrial plants, which have no psychoactive effect.
While U.S. producers work to change the law south of the border, Canada has had time to set up its own hemp industry just in time to capitalize on two worldwide changes: Exploration of alternatives to pricey and depleting petroleum, and development of crops with smaller ecological footprints.
Technological advances have allowed hemp to replace petroleum-based products for a variety of industrial uses.
New technology uses hemp to manufacture mouldable plastic and biocomposite material, is now being used by automobile companies such as Mercedes-Benz for interior panels in vehicles.
Hemp is also being used to produce biofuels, as well as countertops, insulation and straw building bales.
And hemp is an alternative for cotton in the natural-clothing market.
Aside from its nutritive value, hemp is touted as healthy for crops and the environment.
Pesticide, herbicide and fertilizer use goes down with hemp because it is naturally pest-resistant and the plants grow quickly and so close together that weeds are crowded out.
Successive planting behind nitrogen-fixing cover crops, such as alfalfa, goes a long way to meeting the plant's fertilizer requirement.
It's also billed as a good crop for rotation because it has deep roots, which prevent erosion and return nitrogen to the soil, and it doesn't require heavy irrigation. As well, almost all the plant can be used.
More than 600,000 acres of hemp is grown in about three dozen countries around the world, with China the major producer.
In Canada, half the hemp crop is grown in Manitoba, a third in Saskatchewan.
Global hemp sales were estimated at US$250 billion in 2002 - before petroleum prices skyrocketed. The North American market is now about $40 million, says Hanks, and demand is expected to continue climbing.
Canada's exports of nutritional and industrial hemp and byproducts will continue to grow steadily as long as the U.S. is not growing the crop, says Gordon Scheifele, president of the Ontario Hemp Alliance in Tavistock, about an hour east of London.
"The food market is going to keep growing," says Hanks. "It's no longer a fad, now it's a trend."
Across the country, entrepreneurs, researchers and investors are building a hemp-fibre industry, he adds.
"We feel looking at it, scientifically and objectively, it's where it should be for development of a new crop in Canada," says Scheifele, who worked for legalization of hemp as a crop in the 1990s.
"But it's certainly nowhere near where we thought it would be. Critical mass has not yet been reached."
Much of the reason is that the whole industry had to be built from the ground up, from having the crop legalized, to developing varieties to suit the varied climate, soil and water conditions in Canada's different regions, to researching and developing nutritional and industrial products, to building production facilities and educating the consumer.
Producers and entrepreneurs in dozens of companies across the country are now working with both senior levels of government and investors to fund research, product development and construction of processing facilities.
Leaders include:
* Hempline, in Delaware, Ont., extracts and refines hemp fibres for use in reinforcing composites (in automobiles, for instance) and spongy material for animal bedding, garden mulch and fillers.
* Calgary-based Avanti Polymers produces lightweight durable furniture such as countertops at its manufacturing facilities in Gretna, south of Winnipeg near the U.S. border. It is currently developing wall- panel systems for recreational and commercial vehicles.
* Manitoba's Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers Co-op Ltd. produces hemp grain, birdseed and seed stock, and has a plant-breeding program.
The associated Parkland BioFibre Ltd. received $3 million from Sustainable Development Technology Canada in July toward construction of a processing facility in Dauphin, about 300 km northwest of Winnipeg, that will use European technology to produce biofibre insulation, plus animal bedding and non-woven horticultural matting.
* The Composite Innovation Centre at the University of Manitoba's Smart Park has received a $750,000 grant from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for bio-material research and commercialization.
* B.C.'s Naturally Advanced Technologies (formerly Hemptown) is investigating construction of a $20- to $30-million fabric processing plant in Alberta.
Naturally Advanced Technologies has its sights set on the $25-billion cotton industry, says Jerry Kroll, chairman of the company's board.
"The cotton industry is responsible for a large portion of the chemicals and insecticides used on the planet," Kroll notes.
As well, cotton crops need intense irrigation. "Each cotton T-shirt represents 1,740 gallons (6,587 litres) of water" and is a terrific burden on water-starved economies such as those in East Africa, he adds.
Thanks to new Canadian technology, Kroll says, it will make economic sense to switch from cotton to hemp fabric.
Earlier this month, Naturally Advanced Technologies acquired rights to an enzyme technology that greatly reduces the cost and time needed to turn hemp into cloth.
Until now, it has taken about 60 days to transform hemp fibre into useable cloth.
But with the enzyme, it takes about five hours to produce Crailar, a trademarked soft white cloth four times as strong as cotton.
A pound of Crailar can be produced for 42 cents, versus 62 cents for cotton.
The company plans to begin limited distribution of both cloth and Crailar garments in 2007, backed by a marketing campaign aimed at high-end fashion and environmentally conscious consumers.
"We could easily have a break-out year in 2007," says Kroll.
Sales in 2006 are expected to top $1 million compared to $958,238 in 2005 - which was up 15 per cent from 2004.
"Hemp could be one of the biggest export crops Canada has ever come across," says Kroll. "It's approaching the tipping point."
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 Hypercube
80 SRM
 
Registered: 12/17/05
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: veggie]
#6399321 - 12/23/06 12:17 PM (5 years, 5 months ago) |
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Well it's ABOUT FUCKING TIME!
Wonderful news! Makes me think about setting up a hemp farm.
Sounds like some of those companies would be VERY profitable to invest in.
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cybrbeast
No, this is not true
Registered: 01/06/03
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Loc: event horizon
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: veggie]
#6417693 - 01/02/07 09:00 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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Awesome 
Next step is to beat the paper industry.
but
Quote:
Global hemp sales were estimated at US$250 billion in 2002 - before petroleum prices skyrocketed. The North American market is now about $40 million, says Hanks, and demand is expected to continue climbing.
This must be a misprint. The market can't be that large.
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Schwip
Never sleeps.
Registered: 06/27/05
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: cybrbeast]
#6417705 - 01/02/07 09:07 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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Hmm wonder. Could be millions and not billions. But is that Canadian Dollars?
Hmmm.....Maybe Canadian hemp is good investment for '07.
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" If the sky were to suddenly open up there would be no law. There would be no rule. There would only be you and your memories... the choices you've made, and the people you've touched. If this world were to end there would only be you and him and no-one else. "
..............
"MAN! You know there aint no such thing as left over crack!"
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Ekstaza
stranger thanmost
Registered: 04/10/03
Posts: 4,315
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: cybrbeast]
#6419058 - 01/02/07 04:10 PM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
cybrbeast said:
Awesome
Next step is to beat the paper industry.
but
Quote:
Global hemp sales were estimated at US$250 billion in 2002 - before petroleum prices skyrocketed. The North American market is now about $40 million, says Hanks, and demand is expected to continue climbing.
This must be a misprint. The market can't be that large.
Notice that it says GLOBAL HEMP SALES were estimated at $250 billion. I don't think that that is so impossible. Especially if the North American market alone is $40 million.
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YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ANY GIVEN DRUG ISN'T THE DEFINITIVE MEASURE OF THE DRUGS EFFECTS.
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fastfred
Old Hand
Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 6,242
Loc: Dark side of the moon
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: Ekstaza]
#6420655 - 01/03/07 02:23 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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$250B must really be million. If the US market is $40m that would be about right for a $250m world market.
> The production of hemp doubled this year in Canada, with the grain moving from a niche product...
When did hemp become a "grain"?
-FF
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cybrbeast
No, this is not true
Registered: 01/06/03
Posts: 4,676
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: Ekstaza]
#6420663 - 01/03/07 02:33 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
Ekstaza said:
Quote:
cybrbeast said:
Awesome
Next step is to beat the paper industry.
but
Quote:
Global hemp sales were estimated at US$250 billion in 2002 - before petroleum prices skyrocketed. The North American market is now about $40 million, says Hanks, and demand is expected to continue climbing.
This must be a misprint. The market can't be that large.
Notice that it says GLOBAL HEMP SALES were estimated at $250 billion. I don't think that that is so impossible. Especially if the North American market alone is $40 million.
I do think it's impossible, $250 billion is $250.000 million.
As an example the global coffee is worth $50 billion (source) and the coffee market has to be bigger than the hemp market.
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Schwip
Never sleeps.
Registered: 06/27/05
Posts: 3,934
Last seen: 8 months, 24 days
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: fastfred]
#6420708 - 01/03/07 03:55 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
When did hemp become a "grain"?
hemp seed is often considered a grain, when used for its oils or seed(whole or ground).
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" If the sky were to suddenly open up there would be no law. There would be no rule. There would only be you and your memories... the choices you've made, and the people you've touched. If this world were to end there would only be you and him and no-one else. "
..............
"MAN! You know there aint no such thing as left over crack!"
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero
Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,193
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: Schwip]
#6421161 - 01/03/07 09:53 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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> As an example the global coffee is worth $50 billion (source) and the coffee market has to be bigger than the hemp market.
Just for fun, assume that you are incorrect and the report is correct... think about what that means... how many people have to be consuming cannabis in order for the industry to be a magnitude larger than the coffee industry... and yet, it is illegal!?!? Why?? How?? If that many people want something, and the something is basically harmless, then why is it illegal?
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Just another spore in the wind.
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cybrbeast
No, this is not true
Registered: 01/06/03
Posts: 4,676
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: Seuss]
#6421444 - 01/03/07 11:39 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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I can't even see a good reason for any drug to be illegal let alone something as harmless as hemp.
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fastfred
Old Hand
Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 6,242
Loc: Dark side of the moon
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: cybrbeast]
#6423725 - 01/04/07 12:48 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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A grain is a grass... Any plant of the family Poaceae or Gramineae.
"The genus Cannabis was formerly placed with nettles in the family Urticaceae or with mulberries in the family Moraceae, but is now considered along with hops (Humulus sp.) to belong to the family Cannabaceae."
Just because "grass" is a slang term for cannabis doesn't make it a grain.
-FF
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veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 13,985
Loc:
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: fastfred]
#6423747 - 01/04/07 01:13 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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I believe hemp is considered a grain because it is seed bearing. The seeds (grain) have been used since the beginning of civilization for food, oil, medicine, etc. and was called by the ancient Persians "The Royal Grain"
I did do some research and the 250 billion is in fact a typo. The correct figure is 250 million, which is still an incredible market for just a lowly weed. If the DEA would make the distinction between industrial hemp and marijuana, the USA could be a leader in this booming market.
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fastfred
Old Hand
Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 6,242
Loc: Dark side of the moon
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: veggie]
#6423817 - 01/04/07 03:37 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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> I believe hemp is considered a grain because it is seed bearing.
All plants are seed bearing, with the exception of a very, very few.
I could be wrong, but I think it is quite wrong to call hemp a grain.
-FF
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OneMoreRobot3021
punky jewster
Registered: 06/06/03
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: veggie]
#6423926 - 01/04/07 07:11 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
veggie said:
If the DEA would make the distinction between industrial hemp and marijuana, the USA could be a leader in this booming market.
That's why marijuana was ever made illegal in the first place...the U.S. government, partly owned by a large variety of different corporations and their various lobbyists, has no interest in using the hemp plant/seed for food, fuel, clothing, paper, all the uses it can be applied to. The cotton, tobacco, and soybean industries all pressured the government to portray marijuana as the "devil's weed" as a backdoor to ridding the economy of hemp.
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Acid doesn't give you truths; it builds machines that push the envelope of perception. Whatever revelations came to me then have dissolved like skywriting. All I really know is that those few years saddled me with a faith in the redemptive potential of the imagination which, however flat, stale and unprofitable the world seems to me now, I cannot for the life of me shake.
-Erik Davis
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fastfred
Old Hand
Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 6,242
Loc: Dark side of the moon
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Re: Hemp grows with technological advances [CAN] [Re: OneMoreRobot3021]
#6426983 - 01/05/07 01:37 AM (5 years, 4 months ago) |
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If the DEA was smart they would REQUIRE farmers to plant a section of hemp. The pollen from those shit strains could destroy outdoor weed crops altogether.
You'd have nothing but seedy weed and those seeds would be worthless. They could heavily pollute the good genetics that everyone desires.
-FF
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