The history of commercial hemp
Industrial hemp is a variety of hemp that is grown specifically for industrial purposes and contains only very small amounts of psychoactive substances such as THC. The history of commercial hemp is closely linked to the history of hemp.
Already several thousand years ago, hemp was used in various cultures for its many applications. In China, hemp has been used for at least 4,000 years ago for the production of paper, rope, clothing and other products. In Europe, commercial hemp was widely cultivated during the Middle Ages and used for the production of sails, ropes, clothing and paper.
During the 20th century, commercial hemp fell into the background due to restrictions and prohibitions related to the cultivation of psychoactive hemp varieties in many countries. In recent years, however, interest in commercial hemp has increased again due to its versatile uses and environmental compatibility. Today, commercial hemp is grown in many countries for the production of insulation, textiles, food, paper and other products.
Commercial hemp in Hungary
The history of commercial hemp in Hungary goes back to the 16th century, when the Ottomans occupied the country. They brought the cultivation of hemp to Hungary, where it quickly became an important crop. In the 18th century, Hungary became the largest hemp producer in Europe and the cultivation of hemp was of great economic importance at that time.
During the 19th century, hemp remained an important part of Hungarian agriculture and was used for a variety of purposes. It was used to make clothing, rope and paper, and also served as animal feed. Many hemp factories were built in Hungary during this period and many jobs were created in the hemp industry.
During the 20th century, however, the cultivation of hemp in Hungary was limited by various factors. During the Second World War, hemp production was intensified due to wartime needs, but afterwards the Production greatly reduced. In the l960s, the cultivation of hemp was completely banned in Hungary and replaced by other agricultural crops.
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in commercial hemp in Hungary. In 2013, a law was passed that legalised the cultivation of commercial hemp for industrial purposes. Since then, the cultivation of hemp has been on the rise again in Hungary and more and more hemp products are being produced. Hemp oil, hemp flour. The history of commercial hemp and hemp tea are just a few examples of the many hemp products produced in Hungary.
Overall, the history of commercial hemp in Hungary has shown that hemp is an important crop that offers many benefits. Although the cultivation of hemp in Hungary was restricted at times, interest in commercial hemp has increased again in recent years and many people see hemp as a promising way to strengthen Hungarian agriculture and economy.
1. Building materials:
Hemp insulation materials: Hemp fibres can be used as insulation material for walls, roofs and floors. Hemp insulation materials have excellent insulating properties and are moisture-regulating, which contributes to a pleasant indoor climate. Compared to conventional insulating materials such as mineral wool and polystyrene, hemp insulating materials are more environmentally friendly because they are made from renewable raw materials and do not release any harmful substances during degradation. According to a study by the Öko-Institut, the use of hemp insulation materials in a single-family house can save about 1.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Hemp plaster: Hemp fibres can be used as an aggregate for plaster to achieve a smooth and homogeneous surface. Hemp plaster is breathable and moistureregulating, which also contributes to a pleasant indoor climate. Compared to conventional plaster, hemp plaster is more environmentally friendly because it is made from renewable raw materials.
Hemp clay: Hemp fibres can also be used as an aggregate for clay to improve the properties of the clay. Hemp clay is also breathable and moisture-regulating, which contributes to a pleasant indoor climate. Compared to conventional clay, hemp clay is more environmentally friendly because it is made from renewable raw materials.
Hemp concrete: Hemp fibres can be used as an aggregate for concrete to improve the strength and durability of the concrete. Hemp heton is lighter than conventional concrete and has better insulating properties. Compared to conventional concrete, hempcrete is more environmentally friendly because it is made from renewable raw materials and requires less energy to produce. Building materials made from commercial hemp can also contribute to improving earthquake safety, especially in regions with an increased risk of earthquakes. Hemp as a building material offers high flexibility and elasticity, which can provide improved earthquake resistance. In the event of an earthquake, the material can absorb more energy and distribute the loads on the building better than conventional, more rigid building materials. In addition, hemp building materials are also fire retardant and can thus help prevent fires and associated damage. There are already some examples of the use of hemp building materials in earthquake-prone regions. In Nepal, for example, after the earthquake in 2015, some buildings were constructed with hemp clay to improve earthquake resistance. Another example is the Earthship Building concept, which uses hemp clay as the main building material for sustainable and earthquake-resistant buildings. Overall, it can be said that building materials made from commercial hemp can contribute to improving earthquake safety. Hemp as a building material offers high flexibility and elasticity, which are particularly important in earthquakeprone regions. The use of hemp building materials can help to improve the safety of buildings and reduce the risk of damage during earthquakes. Hemp as a building material is certainly a sustainable alternative to conventional building materials. Hemp fibres are environmentally friendly, sustainable and have excellent insulating properties. Using hemp as a building material can help reduce CO2 emissions and create a more sustainable construction industry.
2. Paper and textile industry:
Useful hemp has become increasingly important in the paper industry in recent years. Here is some detailed information on the topic of hemp in the paper industry:
Papier industry:
Use of hemp fasern: Industrial hemp is grown mainly for its fibres, which are ideal for paper production. Hemp fibres are particularly long and strong and have a high cellulose concentration, which means they are an excellent source of raw material for the production of high-quality paper.
Advantages of hemp paper: Hemp paper is more environmentally friendly than conventional paper because it comes from a renewable and biodegradable source. It is also more resistant to weathering, ageing and decomposition than regular wood paper, which means it lasts longer and needs to be replaced less often.
Use of hemp in combination with wood: In some cases, hemp fibre is used to complement wood fibre in papermaking. Adding hemp fibre can improve the quality of the paper by making it stronger and more resistant to cracking and breaking.
Cost-effectiveness: Industrial hemp is cost-effective in the production of paper as it grows faster than trees and requires less fertiliser and pesticides. In some cases, the use of hemp fibre can also help reduce the overall cost of paper production, as it can help reduce the need for wood fibre.
Challenges in using hemp fibre: Despite the many advantages of hemp paper, there are some challenges in using hemp fibre in paper production. One of the biggest challenges is to obtain enough hemp fibre for the production of paper in sufficient quality and quantity. In addition, hemp fibre is more difficult to process in the paper industry than wood fibre due to its length and stiffness. In summary, utility hemp is a promising raw material for paper production as it is cost effective and more environmentally friendly than wood. Although there are some challenges in using hemp fibre, there is growing interest in the paper industry in using hemp as a raw material for the production of paper products.
Textile industry: Hemp fibres are particularly long and strong and have a high cellulose concentration, which means they are an excellent source of raw material for the production of high-quality textiles.
Advantages of hemp textiles: Hemp textiles are more environmentally friendly than conventional textiles because they come from a renewable and biodegradable source. They are also more resistant to weathering, ageing and decomposition than regular cotton textiles, which means they last longer and need to be replaced less often.
Use of hemp in combination with other materials: In some cases, hemp fibre is used to complement other materials such as cotton, wool or silk in textile production. Adding hemp fibre can improve the quality of the textile by making it stronger and more resistant to rips and tears.
Cost-effectiveness: Utility hemp is cost-effective in the production of textiles as it grows faster than cotton and requires less fertiliser and pesticides. In some cases, the use of hemp fibre can also help reduce the overall cost of textile production, as it can help reduce the need for cotton or other materials.
Challenges in the use of hemp fibre: Despite the many advantages of hemp textiles, there are some challenges in the use of hemp fibre in the textile industry. One of the biggest challenges is to obtain enough hemp fibre for the production of textiles in sufficient quality and quantity. In addition, hemp fibre is more difficult to process in the textile industry than cotton or other materials due to its length and stiffness. A 2020 estimate suggests that the global market for hemp textiles was approximately US$1.1 billion in 2019 and will reach US$1.2 billion by 2027. is expected to grow to around 2.2 billion US dollars. (Source: Grand View Research).
Advantages of clothing made from commercial hemp
Clothing made from utility hemp has many advantages that make it an increasingly popular choice among consumers and manufacturers. Here are some of the most important benefits of clothing made from utility hemp:
Sustainability: Utility hemp is a sustainable material that requires less water, fertiliser and pesticides compared to cotton or synthetic fibres. Hemp plants grow quickly and require little care and no chemical additives, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to other textiles.
Durability: Hemp fibres are very strong and resilient, which means that clothes made from utility hemp last longer than clothes made from other materials. Hemp fibres are also less prone to wear and tear than cotton, making clothes made from utility hemp ideal for everyday use.
Breathability: Clothing made from utility hemp is very breathable and is therefore well suited for summer or physical activity. Hemp fibres allow moisture to evaporate faster than cotton, keeping the body cool and dry.
UV protection: Hemp fibres offer natural UV protection, which means that clothing made from utility hemp can help protect the body from harmful UV rays.
Anti-bacterial properties: Utility hemp has natural anti-bacterial properties that can help reduce odours and keep clothes fresher for longer.
Versatility: Utility hemp can be used in many different garments, from t-shirts and trousers to jackets and accessories. It combines well with other materials such as cotton or wool and offers a wide range of styles and designs. Industrial hemp is an ideal raw material for textile production as it is more cost effective and environmentally friendly than cotton or other materials. Although there are some challenges in using hemp fibre, there is a growing interest in the textile industry in using hemp as a raw material for the production of high quality textile products.
3. Cosmetics and body care products:
Hemp is a plant that has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for thousands of years. Industrial hemp is a special variety of hemp that can be legally grown and used due to its low THC content. In recent years, the use of hemp in cosmetics and personal care products has increased, as it offers many potential benefits for the skin and hair. Here is some information about the use of useful hemp in the field of cosmetics and personal care products:
Moisturising: Hemp oil is rich in essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids can help to moisturise the skin and keep it soft and supple.
Anti-ageing: Hemp oil also contains antioxidants such as vitamin E, which can help slow down the skin's ageing process by fighting free radicals and reducing damage to the skin cell.
Soothing: Useful hemp also has soothing properties that can be helpful in treating skin irritations such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Cleansing: Hemp oil can also help remove dirt and impurities from the skin without drying it out.
Hair care: Useful hemp can also be used in hair care products such as shampoos and conditioners to strengthen the hair and give it shine.
Sustainability: Industrial hemp is an environmentally friendly alternative to many other ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. It is biodegradable and can be grown in a sustainable way. There are a variety of cosmetics and body care products on the market that contain hemp oil or other hemp-based ingredients. Examples include face creams, body butters, lip balms, massage oils, soaps and many more. If you are interested in these products, you should always check the ingredients and choose high-quality, natural products.
4. Food and beverage industry:
Hemp is also used in the food and beverage industry and its popularity has increased in recent years. Here is some information on how hemp is used in the food and beverage industry:
Hemp seeds: Hemp seeds are often used as an ingredient in muesli, smoothies and other foods. They are a good source of vegetable protein, fibre and essential fatty acids.
Hemp flour: Hemp flour is made from the residues of hemp oil production and can be used as a gluten-free alternative to conventional flour. It also contains fibre and protein and can be used in baked goods such as bread, biscuits and pasta.
Hemp oil: Hemp oil is often used as a salad dressing or as an ingredient in sauces and dressings. It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as antioxidants and can help lower blood cholesterol levels.
Hemp milk: Hemp milk is a plant-based milk alternative made from hemp seeds. It is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and contains no lactose or cholesterol.
Hemp protein: Hemp protein is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant and can be used as a supplement for smoothies and protein shakes. It is a good source of vegetable protein and also contains fibre and essential fatty acids.
Hemp tea: Hemp tea is made from the leaves of the hemp plant and can have a calming and relaxing effect. It contains no psychoactive compounds and can be consumed as an alternative to traditional tea or coffee.