The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is sponsoring projects to develop hemp fiber insulation. This insulation would be more environmentally friendly and better for public health. Idaho-based Hempitecture received the first $90,000 annual stipend. This start-up company will also receive $200,000 in addition to the annual stipend to fund and support continued research. 

Specifically, hemp is defined as a carbon consuming and fast growing plant. Specifically, that makes it ideal for this type of research product. Hempitecture created their main product, HempWool, with this thought in mind. HempWool is a non-toxic, high performing product which is carbon negative to make. Furthermore, it’s zero carbon-emission certified and locally sourced since Idaho legalized hemp growth earlier this year. 

Hempitecture

This company began production of its HempWool in 2012, when cannabis and hemp narratives were starting to turn positive. Since then, the company has expanded and owner and CEO Mattie Mead is positive about the future. Recently, the COO of Hempitecture, Tommy Gibbons, spoke about the interest from the DOE.

“The Department of Energy is interested in the decarbonization potential of insulation and other building materials made from hemp fibers,” Gibbons said. This is exactly what Hempitecture plans to do. Their HempWool currently contains 90 percent hemp fiber, mostly gained from farm waste in nearby states with heavy hemp production. 

In addition, according to the DOE-based project description, Hempitecture “plans to conduct research and testing on new, proprietary blends of its insulation material to improve its insulation value and fire resistance,” as well as “onshore insulation manufacturing using industrial hemp waste from American farmers.” 

“An emphasis on healthy and low carbon building materials has sparked a search for solutions from consumers and government to rebuild better infrastructure and reduce the massive footprint of the built environment,” the statement continued. 

Future

As of now in the U.S., insulation for homes and businesses is a $11.3 billion dollar market. In addition, the industry could potentially grow by three percent by 2027. Fiberglass and mineral (rock or slag) wool makes up current insulation. Its composition consists of 51 percent plant fibers and 49 percent plastics and chemicals. Furthermore, insulation made from hemp, like HempWool, consists of 92 percent hemp and 8 percent polyester fibers. Without the use of plastics in insulation, HempWool becomes much more environmentally friendly and easier to produce. 

Hempitecture looks to create fire resistant, environmentally friendly hemp fiber insulation. This would change the hemp industry as well as the insulation industry in the U.S. There’s potential for job creation and zero carbon emission for the future. As more information becomes available from Hempitecture’s research, we will update you with the latest.

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