Hemp Processing in Third World?

I am interested in information on using hemp to produce paper products in developing countries. I am particularly interested in toilet tissue, paper towels, and paper napkins. What kind of pulp preparation is needed and are there machines available that do it? I would also like to use the hemp fiber for clothing and other related uses. I’m also curious about seed availability, the difficulties and needs in order to become a self sufficient operation. Also, what kind of electrical and labor supplies a small processing plant would need. Information on the types and the amounts of waste produced, uses for this waste and so on. Please provide any information you might have that may help me to open this type of plant. Thanks.

A #1. What countries in particular? Here in London we are meeting with hemp farmers from Kenya and Uganda who have very similar aims. One has access to a paper plant, in fact, they have cut down the trees around the plant so they need to replace the wood fiber with something local. Hemp is especially good for thin papers. The thinnest that I know is either cigarette paper or 16gsm cosmetic tissue made by a French firm. Papers for Bibles are often made of hemp. Getting seeds is something they are working on. EcoFibres of Australia is in talks with them, though there are other seed banks, mainly in the Soviet bloc. Textile production would be ideal, but it may take a lot of time just now if you are starting out in a Third World country, and you would need to perfect the processes and have the machinery; most do not, and even here in the UK, hemp that was grown for textiles had to be shipped to Romania for processing. Presently we are putting information up at www.hempforvictory.blogspot.com and there you can use the key word search as an index to look at what you want. You can also e-mail me at cotingas@hotmail.com and I’d be happy to work with you further. Regards, Kenyon Gibson

Hemp Paper Information

Please provide information about the manufacture of hemp paper? Ecoway Italy

A #1. I happen to have a number of experimental recipes that the U.S. government recorded when they were using hemp hurds for paper-making. If these are of use to you maybe, I can copy and send by slow mail. Just now Gmund is perhaps the largest hemp paper company in the world. John Hanson of the UK has been making the best here, with a very distinctive watermark. There will be some amount of information on this at www.hempforvictory.blogspot.com, and you can put in a key word and do a search on it, just like the index to a book.Regards, Kenyon Gibson

Hemp Oil Seeds?

Does one need indoor and outdoor seeds for a good hemp oil ?

Sculpture Resin Needed

I have interests in building outdoor sculptures. I had worked with ester/epoxy resins that do a good job. I am hoping for a natural source resin, preferably for this intended use. I understand there are exterior coatings that will boost the water repellency. I would hope to acquire enough resin (and coating) for a few smaller test sections. With future interests in a producing a five square meter sculpture barring a useable resin. I will combine wood for increased rigidity, hemp or kenaf/jute for fiber substance. Similar to glass/fiber composites of today. Thanks for any help.

Substitute for Styrofoam Cups?

I am requesting the name and address of a hemp business that can produce a hemp/fiber composite material to be used as a replacement for styrofoam cups used in vending machines. Please provide the name, address, phone # and any URL of such a hemp product producer who could fabricate such an item. Also,where can I contact a producer of hemp/sisal natural fiber board. I’m interested in having 12, 16, and 24 oz. insulated cups to replace the styrofoam used today. An environmentally friendly, bio-degradeable product. Thank you.

Hemp Marketing?

I sell a few hemp products in my store and recently had an ad censored from a Liberty-published Western Illinois University paper, The Western Courier, whose editor wouldn’t publish the word “hemp” in an advertisement. What is the difference between hemp and marijuana and do you have any suggestions about how to market it?

A#1. You might show the editor the [March 2002] editorial from the San Francisco Chronicle, a highly respected newspaper. This editorial strongly endorses industrial hemp. Click Here for a link to the March 9th editorial.

Hemp Horse Halters?

I would like to find hemp horse halters and rope. Thanks, Shirley Wagle

A #2. I am trying to find a source for hemp twine in order to make halters for horses and am finding it very difficult. I am trying to find out if there is any way one can get the twine from Hungary but so far have not had any luck. I make my own cotton rope and am hoping to make what is termed a ‘Yorkshire Halter’ which has a woven headpiece, and was widely used years ago and there are some people who still wish to use them. Helen Woodhouse
A #1. I am told that Yorkshire halters were woven on a loom. If this information is of any use to you.

Ultrasonics?

Is ultrasonics successful in separation of hemp stalks? If so, who supplies this equipment and how does it work? If you have any compared data about hemp processing for example, chemical method, steam explosion, 

A #1.Dear Mr Sun-mo Kang: My name is Vladimir and I am from Russia. During last 4 years I had research & development programs with UK university and few private companies of absolutely new technology regarding Flax short fibres and Hemp. No chemical at all. The results is abnormal. The quality is confirmed by top specialists. The fibre is so soft, colour is like silver, density is the best known, the length could be regulated from 1 mm to 5 – 7 cm. The area of using is limitless. The textile, filters, plastic panels, etc. If you interested, just write me some information about your company. With the Best Regards, Vladimir

Hemp Import Values?

I am doing a term project on industrial hemp. It is hard to find an unbiased view on this sensitive crop. I am in need of some dollar amounts as to how much does the U.S. actually import on an annual basis? I truly believe it would save our farmers, economy, and our environment if this crop was allowed to be grown and used again! Thanks for your help! ag student at California Polytechnic University, Pomona

Hemp Oil Value?

I would like to ask what value the hemp oil has?

Need Technical Information

My name is Andreas and I am a student of engineering and mathematics in Australia at Griffith University. I am working on my final thesis and require engineering technical information on the nature of hemp and its blending with cement and concrete. Can anyone assist me in locating this information?

Hemp’s Origins?

Where did hemp originate? Jeff Barnard

Hemp History for Author

I have a question about the history of hemp production in the U.S. Was hemp farming practiced by the small-scale farmer, or was it so labor intensive that it was only profitable for larger operations? Specifically, what I need to know is: could a family farmer make more than a subsistence living growing hemp in the pre- and early Civil War period? I am considering making a minor character in a novel I am writing a hemp farmer if it’s realistic to do so. I have been unable to find any books or web sites that give a detailed historical account of hemp cultivation in this country. If you know of any, I would appreciate the information. Thank you very much, David Blankenship

A #2. David, all the best with your book. There are a number of books on hemp history, including two published in 1900: Hemp, by S.S. Boyce, and The Reign of Law, by James Lane Allen. Boyce, the northerner, tends to speak in terms of a single farmer, but there was the fact that hemp was labour intensive and much slave labour was employed. Les Stark, in his Hempstone Heritage Series has researched hemp in Pennsylvania, using wills as his records, and I believe there is evidence of single farmers from this. Perhaps the best works on hemp in the south are James Hopkins’ “A History of the Hemp Industry in Kentucky” and Brent Moore’s “A Study of the Past, the Present, and the Possibilities of the Hemp Industry in Kentucky”. There will be relevant information also on the web at www.hempforvictory.blogspot.com, where you can use a key word search to take you right to where you want to look. Please feel free to contact me as well if you have further questions. Kenyon Gibson, author of “Hemp for Victory: History and Qualities of the World’s Most Useful Plant.”

A #1. Regarding your question about small hemp farmers: Yes. Read “The Reign of Law: A Tale of the Kentucky Hemp Fields” by James Allen. It’s out of print (of course) but it’s a beautiful American story. As far back as the first American colonies, it was mandatory to grow hemp so the communities would have enough to survive. You could also pay your taxes with hemp. Good luck, www.HempFarm.org

Bulk Hemp Oil Needed

We are a manufacturer of natural soap in Western Massachusetts. We are searching for a source of cosmetic-grade hemp oil in bulk quantities for that purpose. We need to contact a company which sells cosmetic-grade hemp oil in bulk and can provide us with its pricing structure. Sincerely, Matt Kelly, North American Naturals Soap Co.

A #1. At this time have approximately 1000 lb. of Finola seed for sale, which we would be ready to move as soon as you need it. Finola is an excellent Hemp variety originating in Finland. We farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. We produce Organic and non-organic (sprayed lightly with Post) Finola. Sincerely, Lynne Driedger-Enns

Hemp vs. Trees

Please explain the relative merits from various perspectives, such as economics and environmental benefits.

A #1. One benefit with industrial hemp: Producers will be able to sell a crop every year, not every 10 to 15 years.