The production of hemp plastic is a simple process in relation to the manufacture of traditional plastic. First of all, there is as much cellulose as possible. The Zeoform brand creates hemp plastics through cellulose-based plastic. The company uses a patented process that involves the use of water and natural cellulose fibers such as hemp.
Our hemp plastic is 100% plant-based and contains no chemicals. More specifically, it is a fiber-reinforced biocomposite made of 30% micronized hemp and 70% corn-based PLA. We also use bio-based binders, so the material is truly 100% plant-based. Hemp plastic is made from cellulose that is derived from the stem of the hemp plant.
This plant has a high content of cellulose that is required for the manufacture of plastic. There are several different types of hemp plastic, including conventional plastics fortified with hemp fibers and 100% hemp plastic made entirely from the hemp plant. Marine animals end up ingesting these small pieces of plastic, resulting in various detrimental effects and the ultimate death of the animals. Nanocellulose is a lightweight, durable “pseudoplastic” that can be manufactured as a solid, liquid, or gel-like substance.
These materials cannot be recycled and have no tangible sustainability benefits, so marketing petroleum-based hemp plastic products as “sustainable” can be considered an eco-friendly wash. Hemp plastic, called a “bioplastic” material, is not made from fossil fuels, which means that it does not produce CO2 as it breaks down. Petroleum-based plastic is also recyclable, but the process can be toxic, since it contains many harmful chemicals, such as bisphenol-A (BPA). It's worth noting that automakers such as Ford, Chrysler, GM, Honda, Mercedes, BMW and Saturn currently use hemp composite door panels, roofs, trunks, among other components.
Today, many car manufacturers are considering using natural products instead of plastic and metal components. Hemp-based polymers have already been developed at the laboratory level, but unfortunately, these polymers are not yet commercially viable. In fact, in the near future, we could build an entire house using compressed hemp fibers. In 1941, Henry Ford created a complete car made of composite hemp plastic panels created by the thermal pressing of hemp cellulose, straw, resin and other materials.
This means that we will have nothing like the manufacturing capacity to create hemp plastic on a global scale for decades. The benefits of corn-based PLA, beyond being derived from a renewable resource, include a lower carbon footprint and a reduction in energy use compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics. Today, the manufacturing price of hemp based plastic is significantly higher than its petroleum equivalent. Because hemp is biodegradable, these cars will not be a threat to the environment when they age.
