Hemp can replace polyethylene in packaging, according to a Canadian study

Packaging could be the first major application for hemp-based bioplastics, according to a new study conducted by Canadian researchers.

This research, conducted by a team from the Western University (WU) in London, Ontario, has made it possible to replace the high-density polyethylene pellets used in conventional plastics with powder obtained by grinding hemp stalks. The material was incorporated directly into the manufacturing process currently used to produce packaging, without the addition of any special technology or processes.

«This study demonstrates a new series of biocomposites […] that can be derived entirely from renewable resources and have high potential for biodegradation in the environment,» according to the study, published in The Journal of Polymer Science.

An excellent result

Tests have shown that while the strength and malleability of the hemp-based material Although it does not meet the standards of conventional plastics, it is nonetheless more durable and more malleable than other plant-based materials, and of sufficient quality for many applications.

«When it comes to packaging, plastic is replacing metal and glass, which are heavy and expensive,» Elizabeth Gillies, a chemistry professor at the University of Western Ontario and author of the article, told the Canadian television network CBC. «Depending on its form, hemp can have a fibrous structure, which is very useful for reinforcing materials.»

The Plastic Crisis

Since recycling programs have proven insufficient to solve the problem of plastic waste—a problem exacerbated by a global microplastic pollution crisis—hemp-based biocomposites offer an environmentally friendly alternative, the article notes.

«Glass recycling isn’t very profitable, and although many plastics are potentially recyclable, this is often not the case in practice,» said Mr. Gillies, who works in the university’s Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and also holds the Canada Research Chair in Polymer Biomaterials at the University of Washington.

Limited business prospects

The research paper joins a growing body of work on fiber from hemp as a raw material for bioplastics, while offering a realistic assessment of the commercial potential: «In terms of costs, biomaterials are currently more expensive to produce than plastics, but companies are working to optimize and reduce prices, so costs are expected to decrease in the coming years as these technologies improve.»