By grinding hemp stems into a fine powder and substituting it for high-density polyethylene pellets, the researchers demonstrated that hemp can be integrated into existing plastic manufacturing processes without specialized equipment or costly modifications.
The study underscores hemp’s potential as a green alternative. Unlike petroleum-based plastics, hemp is a fast-growing plant that can be cultivated annually, offering a sustainable feedstock that reduces reliance on fossil fuels. While the hemp-based composites do not yet match conventional plastics in strength and flexibility, they outperform other plant-derived materials, making them viable for a range of packaging applications.