Plastic is one of the most widely used materials, found in everything from packaging and textiles to cars and aircraft. But most plastics are made from petroleum, releasing harmful emissions during production and causing widespread pollution at end-of-life.1
As concern over plastic waste grows, interest has shifted toward bioplastics—especially those made from hemp. Hemp-based plastics are biodegradable, mechanically strong, and derived from a fast-growing crop that absorbs four times more carbon dioxide than many other plants.
With these advantages, could hemp-based plastics offer a realistic and scalable alternative to traditional petroleum-based materials?
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The Plastic Waste Problem
Plastics are made from carbon-based polymers that can be molded into various shapes.
Most conventional plastics are derived from fossil fuel hydrocarbons, with common monomers like ethylene extracted from petroleum. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), widely used in textiles and food packaging, is a major contributor to global plastic waste.
Other commonly used plastics—such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), and polyethylene (PE)—are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for decades.2
What Is Hemp Plastic?
Industrial Cannabis sativa, or hemp, is a fast-growing herbaceous plant with a high cellulose content, typically ranging from 65–75 %. This makes it an ideal raw material for bioplastics like celluloid, cellophane, and rayon.
Hemp plastic is usually produced from cellulose extracted from the plant’s stalk. Although 100 % hemp-based plastics are still relatively rare, many current materials are composite bioplastics that combine hemp with other plant-based sources.
Hemp plastic also exists in forms such as conventional polymers reinforced with hemp fibers—these are already in commercial use across industries.2
How Is Hemp Plastic Made?
Hemp-based plastics are primarily manufactured using injection molding and extrusion.3,4
For example, hybrid eco-friendly composites have been developed by combining sisal and hemp fibers with polylactic acid (PLA) through melt processing and injection molding. These hybrids showed improved mechanical properties compared to pure PLA.
In another study, hemp fiber composites with 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % sodium hydroxide-treated hemp fibers were reinforced with a blend of virgin and recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) using injection molding.3 The treated fibers improved compatibility and strength within the HDPE matrix.
A recent paper in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing reported the development of a sustainable biocomposite using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and 60 wt% hemp residue. PHBV, a biodegradable thermoplastic, offers promising properties for replacing single-use plastics.
The formulation also included polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) as a toughening agent and diluent, with maleated PBAT (mPBAT) added as a compatibilizer. The entire composite was produced via reactive melt extrusion.4
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Why Hemp? Strengths and Limitations
Hemp-based plastics offer a compelling alternative to traditional petroleum-derived materials.
Mechanically, hemp plastics demonstrate strong ultraviolet, thermal, and dimensional stability. They are up to five times stiffer and 2.5 times stronger than PP, and unlike glass fibers, they do not wear down processing equipment such as molds or screws.
Hemp's lightweight and flexible properties further contribute to its performance, making it a viable material for automotive parts, aerospace components, packaging, and consumer goods.2
Some formulations are also flame-resistant and up to 2.5 times stronger than PP. Hemp fiber-reinforced plastics combine hemp fibers with polymers to enhance strength and stiffness. For example, hemp fiber-reinforced wheat gluten plastics with 20 % fiber content have shown a tenfold increase in Young’s modulus and double the tensile strength compared to pure wheat gluten plastics.
Hemp fiber-reinforced bioplastics made using bio-resins such as cellulose butyrate and cellulose acetate have also outperformed PP-based plastics in mechanical properties.
Beyond strength, hemp plastic is 100 % biodegradable, typically breaking down within three to six months—far faster than conventional plastics like HDPE or PET, which can persist in the environment for decades. Hemp's rapid degradation time and low environmental impact make it especially attractive in applications where single-use plastics are currently dominant.
However, there are significant limitations. While hemp is biodegradable, its breakdown depends on factors like polymer blends and composting conditions. Composites made with non-biodegradable polymers or synthetic additives may only partially degrade.5
Biodegradable plastics often require blending or functionalization with other polymers to achieve performance metrics like flexibility and toughness, and these blends can complicate the recycling process. Industrial composting—performed under controlled conditions at large-scale facilities—is often needed to ensure proper degradation, but many regions lack the infrastructure to support this.5,6
Additionally, hemp-based plastic remains relatively new to the market. Limited raw material availability, higher processing costs, and a lack of supply chain maturity make it more expensive and less accessible than petroleum-based plastics.
Despite these challenges, hemp plastics can be processed using existing equipment and techniques, making them a scalable and increasingly viable solution for manufacturers.1,2
Feasibility and Industry Adoption
Hemp plastics are gaining momentum across various industries.7,8 For example, in the automotive sector, hemp is used to reinforce materials for insulation mats, door panels, and interior structures.7
Manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes have incorporated hemp composites in models such as the BMW i3 electric car and the i8 hybrid supercar. The Canadian-made Kestrel car also features a hemp-based body, which is lightweight, impact-resistant, and, unlike traditional steel frames, has shown the ability to bounce back from crash tests.
According to Hemp Inc., these properties make hemp a promising alternative to glass fiber and petroleum-based plastics in automotive applications.7
In additive manufacturing, hemp-derived plastics are being used to create three-dimensional printer filaments from hemp processing waste. These filaments are not only eco-friendly but also offer practical advantages, including a favorable weight-to-volume ratio. HempBioPlastic reports that their hemp-based filaments are 30 % stronger and 20 % lighter than PLA, the most commonly used plastic in 3d printing.7
Hemp plastic is also used in sustainable packaging—such as bottles, bags, and biodegradable containers—as well as in a variety of consumer products, including toys, furniture, and electronics casings.8
Hemp - a sustainable alternative to plastic | Signature Products
However, cost remains a significant barrier to broader adoption. Hemp-based plastics are generally more expensive to produce than conventional plastics due to limited raw material availability and higher processing costs. Additionally, their shelf life may be shorter, as some formulations are more sensitive to heat and moisture.2
While petroleum-based plastics remain cheaper and more widely available, the environmental trade-offs are pushing industries to explore and invest in more sustainable alternatives like hemp. Continued research and investment in bioplastic innovation will be key to making hemp a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics.
For a comprehensive overview of biomaterials, including their medical and industrial applications:
An Overview of Biomaterials: Advancements and Applications
References and Further Reading
- Modi, AA., Shahid, R., Saeed, MU., Younas, T. (2018). Hemp is the future of plastics. E3S Web of Conferences. DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/20185103002, https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/abs/2018/26/e3sconf_icacer2018_03002/e3sconf_icacer2018_03002.html
- Malabadi, RB., Kolkar, KP., Chalannavar, RK., Vassanthini, R., Mudigoudra, B. S. (2023). Industrial Cannabis sativa: Hemp plastic-updates. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.20.1.2102, https://wjarr.co.in/wjarr-2023-2102
- Gallina, L. et al. (2025). Preparation of hemp‐based biocomposites and their potential industrial application. Polymer Composites. DOI: 10.1002/pc.29206, https://4spepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pc.29206
- Gupta, A., Lolic, L., Mekonnen, TH. (2022). Reactive extrusion of highly filled, compatibilized, and sustainable PHBV/PBAT – Hemp residue biocomposite. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2022.106885, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359835X22000781
- García-Depraect, O. et al. (2021). Inspired by nature: Microbial production, degradation and valorization of biodegradable bioplastics for life-cycle-engineered products. Biotechnology Advances. DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107772, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0734975021000781
- EPA. (nd). Approaches to Composting. [Online] EPA. Available at https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/approaches-composting (Accessed on 20 March 2025)
- Karche, T. (2019). The application of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) for a green economy: A review. Turkish Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.3906/bot-1907-15, https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/botany/vol43/iss6/2/
- Jadon, M., The Revolutionary Potential of Hemp Plastic. [Online] Seaside Sustainability. Available at https://www.seasidesustainability.org/post/the-revolutionary-potential-of-hemp-plastic (Accessed on 20 March 2025)
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