Plastic-free and Smart – The Future of Textiles Is Taking Shape

Hemp has several climate benefits - it absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide, requires minimal pesticide inputs and can be grown on land that is not suitable for other crops. This makes it an interesting future resource for a more robust and circular bioeconomy system. A new project, run by Cass Materials AB in collaboration with Philip Dellström Gidmark, will develop fossil-free and water-repellent fibres from hemp hurd - a natural by-product of industrial hemp.  The aim is to develop to develop sustainable alternatives for nonwoven products such as surgical face masks, medical gowns and other disposable items where both durability and functionality are crucial.

The collaboration is an important step towards environmentally friendly and resource-efficient textiles, with great potential for both the healthcare sector and industry at large.

"Our ambition is to show that it is possible to replace fossil-based and chemical-heavy textile materials with functional, completely bio-based alternatives. Working with industrial hemp as a raw material makes the project both technically exciting and climate-strategic," says Gary Cass, Cass Materials AB. 

The collaboration is being carried out with support from Processum's R&D Council within the framework of the Bioeconomy Innovation Platform, with funding from the EU's Regional Development Fund, Region Västernorrland, Örnsköldsvik Municipality and RISE.

Read more about the R&D Council here and how you can get support