How industrial hemp could save our world

In 1941, Henry Ford built a car out of plastic made from hempflax, wheat and fir pulp. material. It ran on ethanol from hemp and other agricultural waste. Ford’s bioplastic Model T was lighter than fiberglass and ten times stronger than steel.

Popular Engineeringin the December 1941 issue, he reported that “Ford’s experimental model was a step toward realizing his dream of growing cars from the ground and reducing greenhouse gases.”

When Ford built its bio-car, greenhouse gases were already in the public eye, and the car started a renewed public debate about the merits of biomass over fossil fuels.

Transitioning to a carb economy through hemp

Mitigation of greenhouse gases and the way to transition from a hydrocarbon economy to a carbohydrate economy lies in the use of crops such as hemp. In 1992, Irshad Ahmed and David J. Morris He wrote The Carbohydrate Economy: Making Chemicals and Industrial Materials with Plant Materials which looked at the possibility of biomaterials substitutability against the monopoly of petrochemicals.

Industrial societies were carbohydrate economies 200 years ago. In 1820, Americans used two tons of vegetables for every one ton of minerals. Plants were the main raw materials for the production of dyes, chemicals, paints, inks, solvents, building materials and energy.

Due to historical and regulatory factors starting in the 1930s, cannabis was sidelined. Hearst Corporation with investments in the forest products industry opposed hemp paper to protect tree-based paper production. John D. Rockefeller, an investor in petroleum-based pharmaceuticals, and the DuPont family, which introduced nylon, actively campaigned against hemp.

According Pankaj SrivastavaCEO of Renaissance Corphemp has the potential to help the US create a 21st century industry that produces functionally superior products, meets the needs and demands of modern consumers, and protects and restores the environment.

“Since the legalization of hemp cultivation in 2018, the industrial hemp industry is still in its infancy,” said Srivastava. “However, hundreds of forward-thinking entrepreneurs and companies are beginning to adopt hemp as a key ingredient in various industries – both consumer and industrial.”

Srivastava says these companies recognize that hemp offers an environmentally friendly and more sustainable alternative to various toxic substances we use every day, while also improving product performance and functionality.

He added, “Despite this promising start, the industry must address systemic challenges to enable the scaled-up use of cannabis, which is his company’s mission.”

Green pair

As a crop, industrial hemp can thrive in barren soil conditions and can be applied in crop rotation for soil regeneration due to its natural biological ability to clean up soils.

Srivastava says hemp excels in various applications. “From fabrics with improved wear patterns to food products rich in proteins and amino acids, to lightweight but strong linings for cars, planes and trains, its conductivity also makes it ideal for clean energy (electric batteries and biofuels).

“Our primary milestone is to expand awareness of hemp’s functionality, aligning it with environmental benefits; continued progress in materials and life sciences will reveal even more applications aligned with the green zeitgeist,” said Srivastava.

Industrial transformation

In 2013, QZ reported that there were 25,000 products in nine submarkets—agriculture, textiles, recycling, automotive, furniture, food/nutrition/beverage, paper, building materials, and personal care where industrial hemp could be used. All products could be prepared or manufactured from raw materials derived from the industrial hemp plant, including hemp fibers, bags and seed or grain.

“Key industries using industrial hemp are automotive and aerospace, which use hemp fibers in composites for automotive interiors and lightweight panels in aviation for extra strength and weight reduction,” Srivastava said.

In 1995, Giorgio Armani used hemp in an Emporio Armani collection. BMW has been using hemp biocomposites since 2013, Porche’s 718 Cayman GT 4 Club Sport uses hemp, and Audi and Volkswagen were among the original automakers to use hemp in the early 2000s.

And earlier this year in 2024, BMW, Mercedes and Volvo was announced They were looking at natural fibers to make cars more sustainable to meet consumer demand.

He added, “These industries will be transformed, creating a trillion dollar opportunity. The more we use hemp and other natural ingredients, the better products we will deliver, ultimately improving the health of our planet.”

Srivastava says that by addressing systemic issues in the industry, he hopes to raise consumer awareness of responsible products that also offer superior functionality in everyday products such as clothing, food, housing and plastics, which will increasingly incorporate hemp.

“We hope to focus on research and science that will uncover new applications for cannabis, increasing demand and cultivation,” said Srivastava. “The versatility of hemp will prove consistent with functionality and economic viability.”

Dealing with pressing challenges

“Industrial hemp, as a crop, offers numerous benefits across a number of sectors and can address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges, including improved agricultural practices and socioeconomic impacts, food insecurity and sustainable urban development,” Srivastava said.

Agriculture

Hemp addresses the needs of the farming community with its multiple uses and simple soil practices, which translate into improved soil conditions and better long-term crop results.

“Every part of the hemp plant can be used, making it highly effective. Thus, by improving soil health and providing a sustainable crop, hemp can lift the socio-economic status of rural communities through job creation and increased agricultural productivity .”

Hemp also requires much less water than many traditional crops, up to 70% less water than cotton. “This makes it ideal for areas facing water scarcity,” he adds.

Food insecurity

Hemp seeds are a highly nutritious food source, rich in protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. “By integrating hemp into our agricultural systems, we can enhance food security and deliver a sustainable, nutrient-rich crop that thrives in diverse environments,” Srivastava added.

“This is particularly beneficial in areas experiencing food shortages, as hemp can be grown with fewer resources compared to traditional crops,” he said. “Hemp’s deep root system helps prevent soil erosion, strengthening soil structure and promoting nutrient cycling, which further supports agricultural sustainability and improves crop yields, thereby reducing food insecurity.”

Sustainable Urban Development

“Cannabis can play a critical role in sustainable urban development,” Srivastava said.

Hempcrete, a hemp-based building material, is highly insulating and resistant to fire and mold, resulting in energy savings of up to 50% compared to conventional buildings.

“This can help create more energy-efficient and resilient urban infrastructure, addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization while reducing the environmental footprint of construction,” said Srivastava. “Hemp’s carbon-sequestering properties also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making urban development more environmentally friendly.”

Moving forward

“We’re starting to see more applications of industrial hemp every year as materials science advances and sustainable ideologies gain traction,” Srivastava said. “In technology, hemp-based plastics and graphene-like materials are being developed for electronics and batteries, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional materials.”

“Unlike others who focus on singular aspects like agriculture or food, we believe in the broad potential of cannabis,” Srivastava said. “Our goal is to raise awareness across the board and develop the technological, physical and capital infrastructure needed for any cannabis-based company to scale effectively.”

Srivastava says that by allowing companies to more easily adopt natural ingredients, Renaissance Park hopes to reboot industrial hemp and create an unstoppable movement.