Do you know the UK is now house to greater than 1,000 hectares of commercial hemp farms? This quantity has tripled in lower than a decade and is altering the best way we view plastic manufacturing.
This additionally means the UK can create supplies utilizing an area, renewable crop that:
- absorbs carbon,
- helps rural jobs, and
- matches completely with a round economic system imaginative and prescient.
These benefits are according to the UK’s net-zero targets, plastic taxes, and trade demand for low-carbon supplies. Additionally they create actual market pull for farmers and producers.
So, right here I’ll listing the highest hemp bioplastic producers within the UK and the forms of merchandise they’re creating. It will allow you to perceive how shortly the chance for hemp plastic producers is rising within the UK.
Who’re the highest hemp plastic producers within the UK?
In response to current trade information, the UK bioplastics market may attain $2.8 billion by 2030. Hemp-based supplies are a small however fast-growing a part of this pie.
Why is that this development taking place now?
The UK authorities’s Plastic Packaging Tax and bans on single-use plastics are altering the economics of your complete packaging trade.
The nation additionally handed reforms in 2024 that makes it simpler to develop hemp.
The UK now permits hemp license holders to develop the low-input crop wherever on a licensed farm for as much as six years.
Proper now, native industrial hemp plastic manufacturing continues to be ramping up.
Extra farmers are rising hemp, and firms are working to course of it into high-quality plastics and composites. Listed here are some high producers of hemp plastic within the UK.
1. HempFlax
A heavyweight from the Netherlands however now immediately current within the UK market, HempFlax specialize in industrial hemp fibres. Additionally they convert the uncooked supplies into injection moulding and composite constructing supplies. A few of their merchandise are:
- Hemp fibre
- Non-woven semi-finished merchandise for industrial functions
- Hemp fibre pellets
The attention-grabbing half? These hemp fibres are touted as a alternative for artificial fibre reinforcements in automotive, development and textile sectors.
2. Biome Bioplastics
Biome Bioplastics, which was based in 2007, is a number one UK-based innovator. Whereas they work with numerous plant-based polymers, Biome is notable for collaborating with British universities on hemp-based plastics for compostable packaging and research-led tasks.
3. UK Hempcrete
Hempcrete leads hemp plastic producers within the UK in utilizing hemp plastics for eco-friendly constructing supplies.
They specialize in hemp‑lime development programs and different bio‑primarily based constructing supplies to switch conventional concrete. In response to their web site, buildings that use hempcrete lock away extra CO₂ than was emitted throughout manufacturing.
Hempcrete additionally presents design/consultancy companies to assist retrofit and new‑construct tasks.
4. Uncommon Earth
Uncommon Earth International is one other hemp plastic producer within the UK that caught my eye as a result of they’re going deep into decarbonised supplies comprised of hemp. They manufacture bioplastics, hemp boards and hempcrete.
In response to their web site, they’ve secured demand for over 1 million tonnes of low‑carbon or ‘carbon‑detrimental’ hemp‑primarily based merchandise by 2030.
Their supplies can plug into present manufacturing, scale back Scope 3 emissions, and open new enterprise fashions round round provide‑chains.
5. Hemporium UK
Hemporium is one other hemp bioplastic producer in the UK that brings numerous hemp merchandise together with hemp plastics into retail and shopper sectors within the UK.
Yow will discover house‑furnishings, jewelry, toys and musical devices comprised of hemp‑derived plastics on their web site.
6. The Hemp Plastic Firm
Originating from the USA, the Hemp Plastic Firm is now energetic in Europe and the UK. They provide uncooked supplies (like industrial hemp-based pellets) that producers use to create packaging, auto elements, and even electronics housings.
A few of their hemp uncooked and customized supplies embrace:
- HEMP PLA
- HEMP PROPYLENE 25%
- HEMP ABS 25%
- Hemp Submit Industrial Recycled Polypropylene (PIRPP)
- Hemp Excessive Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Hemp Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
- Hemp Excessive Affect Polystyrene (HIPS)
- Hemp Polypropylene (PP)
Their hemp‑primarily based biocomposites and bioplastics can drop into present tooling and processes and exchange oil‑primarily based plastics with out a main overhaul.
It’s vital to say that the UK nonetheless imports some hemp plastic supplies from EU and US corporations. However the homegrown hemp bioplastic capability is increasing.
Right here is an summary of hemp‑primarily based plastics manufacturing corporations within the UK and the completely different sectors they serve.
The UK bioplastics market is rising at one of many quickest charges in Europe.
Latest market analysis exhibits that the UK’s bioplastics market could possibly be value as a lot as $2.8 billion by 2030.
What are the principle functions for hemp plastic within the UK?
The UK’s hemp plastic functions are shifting from the lab to actual companies, throughout a spread of industries. All provide a extra sustainable various to oil-based packaging, and may be industrially composted.
Plastic packaging, which is likely one of the largest polluting, trade globally, may be simply changed with hemp plastics in:
- Compostable movies and trays for meals merchandise
- Versatile pouches for retail packaging
- Disposable tableware for occasions and hospitality
Within the automotive sector, inside panels, trim, and light-weight reinforcements are additionally changing plastic merchandise with hemp composites.
Building and constructing supplies are one other main software. Hemp composite boards and panels are getting used for insulation, wall programs, and flooring.
Corporations like UK Hempcrete are displaying how these merchandise can minimize carbon and enhance indoor air high quality. In the meantime, on the Hemp Basis, we’re working to reverse deforestation and assist farmers in India with hemp-based plastic alternate options.
Which corporations are the main hemp plastic producers within the UK?
Unyte Hemp, Uncommon Earth International, Hemporium UK, and Hempcrete are a few of the main hemp plastic producers and sellers within the UK.
Is hemp plastic as robust as conventional fossil fuel-based plastic?
Hemp plastic is extra sustainable for the atmosphere and performs similar to standard plastic, if not higher in real-world functions.
Is hemp plastic compostable within the UK?
Most industrial hemp plastic merchandise can break down in industrial composting inside three months. Hemp plastic additionally follows the important thing sustainability standards for UK laws.
What merchandise are made by Industrial hemp plastic corporations within the UK?
UK corporations produce packaging, development boards, automotive elements, 3D printing filament, shopper items, and compostable foodware from hemp plastic.
Why is hemp plastic gaining recognition within the UK?
Hemp plastic merchandise are renewable, regionally sourced and matches the UK’s net-zero targets. They’re nice alternate options to switch single use plastic cutlery or packaging within the meals trade as plastic taxes enhance.
