Hempwood
HempWood is a circular material made from eco-friendly hemp. The material is used as a premier substitute for wood, especially lumber.
Production process
Hemp is sourced from within 100 miles of the headquarters from local farmers. At the facility, it is put through a roller to open its cell structure for better penetration of the plant-based adhesives. The material is then dried in a custom-made drying container, after which it is pre-pressed to form equal HempWood Blocks. These undergo pressing into a 5.5” X 5.5” X 6' steel mould and are then baked. After cutting the baked product out, HempWood is the result.
Material properties
HempWood is a premier alternative to wood and has the lowest ecological footprint among the other lumber substitutes. It exclusively makes interior face-grade products rather than exterior/structural materials.
The bonding agent used to turn hemp fibres into a viable wood substitute is Carb 2 Compliant.
HempWood products are durable, strong, and 20% harder than hickory.
- Density: 60 lbs/ft3
- Hardness: 2,750
- Stability: similar to Brazilian Cherry
- Workability: cuts, sands, and stains; machining requires testing of speed and blades
It is perfect for use in any wood-based application, like construction materials, flooring, and furniture. Most of the products are non-toxic hemp composite woods that can be used for a wide variety of interior design and general construction uses.
HempWood Natural Flooring
This flooring is a USDA Certified BioBased product and is carbon-negative from cradle to gate. The engineered format offers easy installation, multiple subfloor applications, and the ability to be refinished up to 4 times. It is quite durable while having a Janka hardness rating of 2,200 lbf, which is 20% harder than Americal white oak. It is also pet-friendly and able to withstand pet nails and claws. The flooring is also CARB 2 and TSCA VI compliant. Along with ultra-low VOCs, the fire rating is Class 1.
- Dimension: 5 or 8” X 5” X 48-72”
- Construction: Engineered
- Grade: Sanded
- Coating: Unfinished and Prefinished
- Moisture: 9% +/- 2%
- Lock: Tongue & Groove
- Plank Edge and Plank Finish: Standard and Flat
The flooring can be installed by any 3 methods: nail down, glue down, or float (glue-assist). It is available in 7 colours and 2 patterns.
Availability
Made in the USA; ships globally
Circular features
HempWood uses soy-based adhesive (Cargill Prolia Soy Flour), thus replacing harmful formaldehyde and VOCs off-gassing the indoor environment. The source is also sustainable as hemp grows in just 120 days compared to oak which takes 50-100 years to form.
HempWood is carbon-negative: Hemp removes and sequesters 2 tons of carbon per acre. The water used for its production is derived from hydroelectric power. The waste formed in this process is also used as a heat source.
The supply chain is sustainable, with local sourcing within 100 miles of the facility.
Raw Materials
- Hemp
- Soy-based adhesive
Supplier
Image source: www.hempwood.com/