South Africa inaugurates the world's highest hemp hotel

With 12 stories, a breathtaking view of Cape Town’s imposing Table Mountain, and a minimal environmental footprint, the world’s tallest building made from industrial hemp will soon open its doors in South Africa.

Supported by a concrete and cement framework, the building's walls are made of «hempcrete» blocks produced from the cannabis plant. It will feature 54 rooms and was scheduled to be completed in June.

In an interview with AFP, the director of Afrimat Hemp, which supplies hempcrete, said that as more and more people discover the insulating, fire-resistant, and eco-friendly qualities of hemp bricks, their use in construction is booming.

He explained that the blocks are carbon-negative, meaning they remove more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than they release during their production, making them ideal for the energy-efficient renovation of older buildings, particularly in Europe.

«The plant absorbs carbon, stores it in a block, and then stores it in a building for 50 years or more,» said Boshoff Muller, the director.

Industrial hemp from the Hemp Hotel It does, however, come straight from Great Britain, since its production was illegal in South Africa until last year, when the South African government finally began issuing cultivation permits. According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, more than 130,000 new jobs could be created if the hemp and cannabis sector were developed in the country.

In order to obtain carbon credits, Afrimat Hemp is preparing to manufacture its first batch of blocks using only hemp grown in South Africa.