In addition to the booming hemp-derived cannabinoid market that has taken off in recent years, allowing consumers all around the country to take advantage of infused foods and topicals often without leaving their homes to purchase, hemp is also lending itself to a number of innovative and sustainable new alternatives. As these innovations continue taking shape, they’re shaping up to create major change for a number of established industries in the future.
One of the most recent developments, leading sustainable hemp product manufacturer Ukhi recently announced the launch of its new compostable, biodegradable plastic granules. The granules are made from renewable resources and can be used in packaging and automotive products, like food packaging, shopping bags and car parts, according to Issue Wire.
As we collectively confront the ongoing climate crisis and the growing amount of plastic in our oceans and landfills, such a product could be hugely beneficial for more sustainable business practices in the future.
The product came about following Ukhi’s four years of research in polymer and chemical technology, resulting in the company’s hemp-based, compostable and biodegradable plastic.
As a company backed by the Indian Institute of Technology and Indian School of Business, this solution highlights some of the problems that the country is currently facing when it comes to hemp waste. Thousands of tons of hemp is burnt around India, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to global warming.
This alternative option not only provides a more sustainable alternative to traditional polymers and plastics but it also helps local farmers who can further supplement their income by selling the waste material. In addition, hemp can help to rejuvenate soil and reclaim barren land.
The new product is in the process of being certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and the European Bioplastics Association (EUBP). This certification will deem that Ukhi’s compostable and biodegradable plastic granules have been tested and proven to break down into natural substances within a specific timeframe under controlled composting conditions.
Ukhi CEO Vishal Vivek shared his excitement for the pending product launch, pointing to its potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
“Our granules are made from renewable resources and can be composted at home or in industrial facilities, helping to reduce waste and pollution,” Vivek added.
The granules are already being used by several companies in the packaging and automotive industries. Vivek expressed the company’s belief that the granules have the potential to revolutionize the packaging and automotive industries,” adding that the company is committed to working with our customers to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that help to protect the environment.”
This is just one of the most recent developments of many when it comes to hemp-based alternatives over the last several years, namely since the 2018 Farm Bill eased restrictions on the material.
Indian company Himalayan Hemp shared last year that it had plans to produce organic, hemp-based sanitary pads, sanitary napkins and N-95 masks. Last year also saw developments surrounding a number of other products leaning on hemp. Researchers developed cost-effective, hemp-reliant batteries; a nonprofit and hemp farm teamed up to create tiny homes made of hemp; researchers have crafted a hemp-based rebar alternative and hemp could even play a role in the growing plant-based food market.
And this past summer, a key House committee called on federal officials to begin the process of developing hemp-based plastic alternatives, alongside provisions to create a device to detect cannabis-impaired driving and aiming to combat illegal cannabis grows on public land.
It seems that we are indeed steadily moving toward a more sustainable future, and if the past few years are any indication, hemp may very well be integral to that change.
