Chemical Engineer Given Green Light to Grow Hemp
Hemp research is beginning to thrive in upstate New York. Marc P. Privitera owns PreProcess Inc. and is a chemical engineer who specializes in hemp growth. Privitera was issued a permit on April 18 to research industrial hemp processing, manufacturing and marketing through New York’s Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program. Privitera was one of six companies that was issued a permit.
Privitera plans on planting hemp seeds in June and using hemp grain to make “hempcrete,” paper and textiles. He owns four one-acre plots in Ellisburg, Copenhagen, Binghamton and Cobleskill. Each of his four one-acre plots could generate up to 700 pounds of hemp grain and 5,800 pounds of hemp stalk.
According to Privitera, no part of the plants will be wasted in the process. “[I want] to give local economies another crop that can be turned into products and be sold to the market.” Privitera told the Watertown Daily News. “It’s all about opportunity. You just generate good stuff when you have opportunity. We’re going to make products out of the whole plant. I want the north country to be able to produce multiple products so that it has multiple revenue streams.” Privitera plans on using mobile processing units for the primary processing, and building a barn to use for the final processing.
From an engineering standpoint, Privitera wants to use carbon from the stalks and seeds to use in oatmeal, yogurt, baking powder and oil. Meanwhile, he will extract cannabidiol (CBD) oil for medicinal use. He hopes to share his research and collaborate with local universities like SUNY Cobleskill. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo also announced several initiatives to expand New York’s hemp industry at the state Industrial Hemp Summit in Ithaca. The state is seeking permission from a U.S. Enforcement Agency to acquire hemp seeds.
He plans on eventually building a hemp processing hub in 2018 near Interstate 81 in upstate New York. His operation could open the doors to expanding and promoting hemp research in New York.
