The innovative production of hemp-derived graphene showcases the plant’s potential beyond traditional uses, signalling a shift towards sustainable manufacturing.
Hemp, a versatile plant known for its environmental benefits, is increasingly finding applications across various industries, demonstrating significant potential beyond traditional materials. Its capacity for carbon sequestration, soil rejuvenation, and rapid growth cycle positions it as a sustainable alternative in sectors ranging from construction to renewable energy.
The hempcrete market is particularly noteworthy, having been valued at nearly $26 billion last year, with forecasts projecting a steady annual growth rate of 5% between 2025 and 2030. The material has gained popularity due to its ecological advantages, but new applications for hemp are emerging, including developments in bioplastics and biofuels. Historically, figures like Henry Ford showcased the potential of hemp by constructing a car partially made from hemp plastics that ran on hemp fuel.
Emerging from this evolving landscape is the innovative production of hemp-derived graphene. Graphene has been celebrated since the early 2000s as a revolutionary material with remarkable properties: it is one million times thinner than a sheet of paper, 20 times stronger than steel, and the most conductive material known to date. Despite its potential, widespread use has been hampered by the challenges associated with its mass production, which typically involves methods such as exfoliating mined graphite or employing complex chemical vapour deposition processes.
Hemp-derived graphene offers a promising alternative to traditional production methods. By utilising the bast and inner bark fibres of industrial hemp—materials that are generally considered waste—manufacturers can create a cost-effective material through a chemical and thermal process. The resulting structure is not as pristine as its counterparts, but its ultra-high surface area can be beneficial for specific applications. Notably, producing hemp-derived graphene is approximately 1,000 times less expensive than conventional graphene, with estimated costs for hemp-based graphene ranging from $500 to $1,000 per ton, contrasted with several thousand dollars per gram for traditional varieties.
Premier Graphene, based in California, is at the forefront of this burgeoning industry. The company produces industrial hemp-derived green graphene in collaboration with HGI Industrial Technologies. Pedro Mendez, President of Premier Graphene, highlighted the firm’s partnership with Santa Rosa Green Seeds in Mexico, which allows for three to four growth cycles of hemp annually.
Mendez, who has three decades of experience in the cannabis industry, transitioned from the recreational sector to industrial hemp, recognising its disruptive potential. “We started out with Hempcrete, making small bricks. At the time, I was working at a research center in Southern California, and that’s where things began to take shape,” he stated in an interview. The firm subsequently shifted focus to bioplastics and eventually to graphene, resulting in a working prototype that is being presented to various industries, including military contractors and construction companies.
In his assessment of graphene’s future impact, Mendez noted the burgeoning interest in graphene batteries, which could offer significantly improved efficiency compared to lithium technologies. “This is going to be a really important strategic material for the US and globally,” he added, pointing to changing dynamics in the market for raw materials.
Energy storage remains the primary application for hemp graphene, with emerging research suggesting that hemp-based supercapacitor electrodes can achieve energy densities two to three times greater than current commercial options. Moreover, these supercapacitors can operate effectively across a wide temperature range without performance loss.
The sustainability aspect of hemp-derived graphene is another pivotal factor. As Mendez explained, “It’s affordable, renewable, and you can harvest it every three to five months.” The ongoing quest at Premier Graphene involves exploring ways to repurpose hemp waste, which initially presented a logistical challenge when it came to disposal. The company is currently seeking investments to upscale its production capacity and aims to achieve a sustainable output of up to one tonne per day.
So, the integration of hemp into modern technological advancements, particularly through innovative applications of hemp-derived graphene, signals a significant shift towards more sustainable manufacturing practices. The sector is poised for growth as companies like Premier Graphene pursue opportunities to harness the full potential of this multifaceted plant within multiple industries.
