Blog / Farming & Processing / Hemp News22 Dec, 2021
Margaret River Hemp Processing & 2 Groundbreaking New Developments In Our Operation
Hempco Admin5 Mins. Read
Hempco Admin
Margaret River Hemp Processing was conceptualised with the intention to provide raw Hemp-derived materials to supply for our projects & eventually the passions of others.
After the crop is grown and harvested, the next step is Hemp Processing. As we’ve mentioned previously, this used to be an extensive and costly process, and we’ll get to some examples later.
The bottom line is that we can’t make the raw materials into finished products without processing. In 2021, we opened our very own Hemp Processing facility to encourage the local industry.
There is a wide range of possibilities when it comes to Hemp products. We’re talking clothing, cars, houses, food, skincare, and so much more.
We want to start by extending a big thank you to the WA government for including funding in their business grant in 2021, and we can’t wait to show everybody why it was such a marvellous decision!
This week we’re going to look at Margaret River Hemp Processing, the new facility, and all the fun we can have now that we have the necessary resources.
When it comes to Hemp processing in Australia, the technology is still catching up to the rest of the world. Back when Australia was colonised, settlers were given Hemp seeds and encouraged to grow the plant.
The fibre was used to make sails, clothing, and canvas. However, this was usually a manual process that involved a great deal of physical labour. The Australian government put the Australian Hemp industry to rest before civilisation started making significant mechanical processing and automation advances.
Before the processing facility we recently opened in Western Australia, we sent our harvested Hemp interstate for processing. Some farmers even sent theirs overseas! However, Australia is finally catching up.
There are now several processing facilities to which people can send their Hemp seed. Still, Margaret River Hemp Processing is currently operating one of the few fibre processing facilities in the country.
What was once a process that demanded significant human resources is now semi-automated by mechanical processes. Whilst countries like China are rather far ahead of us in the field, the recent chance for Australia to step up to the plate is a tremendous opportunity.
The most exciting thing about the new processing facility is that we have finally broken ground when it comes to fibre processing for local Hemp farmers in WA.
Once our facility is running at full capacity, we’ll be able to supply the Australian Hemp industry with raw materials for research, development, and manufacturing. Margaret River Hemp Processing will be supplying two primary materials; Hemp hurd and hemp bast fibre.
Here’s what we plan to do with it.
Hemp hurd is one of the two main byproducts of the stalk and can be used in several commercial products. Our Hemp hurd currently has two purposes: building houses and making pet bedding. However, many more opportunities await those stepping into the space.
Products like Hemp plastic, paper, and timber are all on the cards, and we expect aspiring entrepreneurs in the space will soon begin to step up and make these ideas a commercial reality.
Bast fibre is the term used to describe the ‘skin’ of the stalks. The fibrous layers are separated from the wooden core making two byproducts from one part of the plant.
We’re not actively making commercial products from our bast fibre, but we’re considering different ways to utilise it instead of selling it or laying it to waste. Like hurd, we can leverage the cellulose content of bast fibre to make products like paper, plastic, and wood.
The unique possibilities from Hemp bast fibre lay in the potential to make Hemp clothing, apparel, and other textile-based products.
Additionally, scientists have been researching the potential of treating Hemp fibre with heat & pressure to turn it into a superconductor for things like microchips and energy storage devices.
This crop is destined to be turned into durable building materials and pet products, but this is only the tip of the iceberg of the fantastic Hemp plant’s potential. Eventually, Margaret River Hemp Processing will be able to provide services to others who want to explore the possibilities.
We could easily create 4-5 different products from this system - with one single crop.
What was once considered "waste products" materials can now be used to make a range of commercially viable products. These include a superior replacement to cotton, 3d printing materials, bioplastics and many more exciting creations.
Initially, we intend to use our processing facility to process for hurd and fibre that we can make two particular products with.
The bast fibre from our crops has also been sent out to researchers to investigate the potential for a push towards an Australian hemp fabric industry. However, there is still a long way to go before we see this happening at scale.
While we’re on the topic… You can actually check out the second episode in our 6-part series about what we’re doing here. Just hit play!
So, are you as excited as we are? There’s some serious momentum building in the Australian Hemp industry, and the future is looking bright green.
Now you’ve learned more about how we plan to utilise our processing facility, head over to our YouTube channel and check out the rest of our operation. We’re aiming for full transparency, and hoping that it can inspire people to do the same thing. After all, the more participants, the faster progress will manifest.
We’d love to hear your opinion! And please get in touch if you have any questions in regards to services, opportunities, and plans in the space. If you have any ideas, we might even be able to point you in the right direction and help you get started.
