Hemp manufacturing is re-emerging as a global industry, having historically been a major traditional industry in many parts of the world. The factors driving this re-emergence are many, and include various commercial and ecological considerations.

The fastest growing segment in this regenerated industry has been textiles; unsurprising given hemp’s long history of use as rope, sailcloth, clothes, etc. However, hemp is also seeing significant use in other industries, and is the subject of exciting research and development activity in yet more, including; cosmetics, food and beverages, livestock feed, paper, construction materials, bioplastics / composites, biofuels and energy storage.

Activity in hemp is growing in every continent. European countries like France and the Netherlands have long-established companies working within a regional ecosystem, which is now seeing both demand and competition from new European operators, as well as emerging players in China and North America. Chinese hemp cultivation has now surpassed
any other country, making China a major global supplier. The United States has greenlit the entire industry to a large extent with the 2018 Farm Bill and is taking lessons from Canada, which already has a well-established industry.

Many Latin American countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, are also seeing prosperous early stage markets, and African nations are laying foundations for major hemp industries based on their advantageous climates and pre-existing local expertise.

• History of hemp
• Legality by geography
• Global hemp
• Hemp in Europe
• Hemp in North America
• Hemp in the Rest of the World
• Current hemp cultivation hubs
• Marketplace barriers

• Hemp for textiles
• A green future for fashion and furniture
• Carbon negative buildings
• Hemp for construction materials
• Hemp for food and beverages
• The supply chain for hemp-based foods
• Organic and nourishing skincare
• Hemp for livestock feed
• Energy storage devices

• Economic sustainability
• Social sustainability
• Environmental sustainability
• UN sustainable development goods

• Cultivation without irrigation
• Lower need for agrochemicals
• Soil regeneration and decontamination
• Productive use of marginal land
• High absorption of CO2
• Biodiversity-friendly cultivation
• Resilience to a changing climate