Decades of Research
Over the past 80 years, universities and companies have been researching the functional properties of hemp as an additive to existing petroleum-based plastics. This research has all lead to a simple answer: hemp works.
This research provides a basic framework for Heartland to begin building upon. Standardizing future research into bio-based materials like hemp will come down to continuity in the input product.
Global Effort
Hemp was federally legalized in 2018, but that did not stop global efforts to create research on material composites that infuse hemp as their main source of cellulose.
Leaders of industry and academics have been turning their attention toward hemp as a reinforcement agent due to the potential for increased strength, decreased weight, and scaleability in production.
Standardized Process
Research has been fragmented throughout the world, which has caused inconsistencies in existing research being completed. The format of hemp matters, and researchers need access to a reliable supply of consistent materials for analysis.
Heartland is creating relationships with universities and businesses to set the standard on hemp research. This will provide the world with a benchmark of future research into the capabilities of industrial hemp.
Plastics That Use Hemp-Based Additives Are Stronger, Lighter, Cheaper, And More Sustainable Than the Competing Products.
Different Data Same Results
Hemp, processed in different ways, has different characteristics. Research for decades has been done by universities and companies who have all been processing in different manners. Regardless of the lack of continuity, the research is clear: hemp has a huge opportunity to positively impact the materials we use across industries.
Heartland intends to standardize hemp materials, so that all research moving forward has a benchmark to build from. Testing continuity will further drive the adoption of hemp-based materials across manufacturing.
Automotive
Michigan State University's Lawrence T. Drzal and his colleagues researched hemp fibers in automotive applications to replace existing synthetic fibers used in petroleum based plastics.
Cellulose
The National Research Council of Canada researched cellulose fibers from hemp as an all natural source for use in bio-composites throughout applications across industry.
Treatment
The University of Waikato, New Zealand studied the hemp fiber after undergoing a fungal treatment. This resulted in an 18% increase in strength of the overall composite.
Sheet Molding
Ford Motor Company has been researching different methods to integrate hemp products into existing plastics processes, concluding that the properties were above existing standards.
Compostable
The Society of Plastics Engineers studied the use of natural fibers mixed into a composite of PLA. They found a significant increase in strength with cost reduction.
TPU
Ford Motor company has been testing hemp fibers in different plastic compounds to begin understanding replacement applications for lightweighting vehicles.
The Data is in – Hemp-Based Materials Mixed With Plastics Makes A Composite That Creates A Sustainable Competitive Advantage For Companies Who Manufacture With Plastics.
The World Has Been Waiting For A Reliable Supply Chain of Sustainable Materials
Lets Research Hemp Together
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