Adding Hemp to Create a New Bio-Based Alternative to Plastic
Citing a growing interest in bio-based replacements for plastic, one study tested the addition of hemp to other bio-based materials.
In a study published in the Journal of Polymer Science, researchers from Western University in Canada tested the possibility of using hemp powder to create a new biomaterial to use instead of plastic (1,2).
“This material is a composite of hemp powder and a biodegradable polymer or plastic that we made in our lab…we basically blend these two together to make this new material,” explained Elizabeth Gillies, chemistry professor at Western University and one of the study’s authors (3). “It is meant to be actually a fairly simple chemical structure and material.”
Cost, lack of research, and certain materials’ inability to degrade were noted in the study as barriers to overcome in the current pursuit of biodegradable alternatives to plastic (1). The study also noted the benefits of hemp as an addition to a biocomposite material (1).
“The incorporation of natural materials as reinforcement in biocomposite materials can impart strength and stiffness,” the Introduction stated (1). “For example, hemp fibers from the cannabis plant have been one of the most important natural fibers as they can be grown in an ecologically friendly manner. Furthermore, the hemp-based materials are currently a waste product from the growing regulated medical/recreational cannabis industry.”
“I don’t think we envision any issues with scale up…but of course we are still a little ways away from having it be produced on a large scale by manufacturers,” Dr. Gillies (2). “It’s a tremendously growing area. Companies now are really starting to think about the end life of their materials.”
“Thus, this work demonstrates a new series of biocomposites, with tunable properties, which can be fully sourced from renewable resources and has strong potential for biodegradation in the environment. We envision that these materials can be used in applications such as packaging,” the Conclusions section stated (1).
References
- Deng, Z.; Liubchak, I.; Holness, F. B.; Shahrokhi, F.; Price, A. D.; Gillies, E. R. Biobased Composites of Poly(Butylene Furanoate) Copolymers and Hemp. Journal of Polymer Science 2023.
- Hemp-based biomaterial developed at Western University could replace plastic https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2206904387740 (accessed Jul 6, 2023).
Ep 24, Part II: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Khan
December 12th 2024Evan Friedmann and Yasha Kahn, co-founder of MCR Labs, discuss the discrepancies between current regulations and data on mycotoxins and pesticides in cannabis products. They highlight the need for updated regulations based on new data, emphasizing the importance of accurate testing and labeling. They also discuss the issue of result manipulation, particularly in THC content, and the need for public health officials to address this. Yasha suggests making testing data public to enhance oversight and suggests a national entity to manage this data for better consistency and public safety.
Ep 24, Part I: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Khan
November 21st 2024Evan Friedmann interviews Yasha Khan, co-founder of MCR Labs, about his journey into the cannabis industry and his efforts to promote transparency and integrity in laboratory practices. Yasha discusses the origins of MCR Labs, which began in Massachusetts to meet the needs of the soon-to-be legal medical cannabis market. He explains the challenges faced, including result manipulation by labs and the impact on public health. Yasha's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) project aimed to gather testing data from 37 states, revealed significant discrepancies in potency and mold results. Despite some states' reluctance to share data, Yasha has made much of this data public, leading to collaborative research and publications on various aspects of cannabis testing.
