This is a hemp composite wood substitute that can be used for a variety of construction-related applications: materials, flooring, or furniture. This material has good workability and can be cut, sanded, and stained. To create the flooring, the hemp stalk is crushed to open the cell structure, and then dipped into soy glue. It is then dried like tobacco and pressed, resulting in a dense block. The pattern of the floor is determined by the method the blocks are cut; horizontally it results in a live saw grain and vertically in a rift & quarter saw grain. This product has an Environmental Product Declaration and LEED points in the categories of prefabricated components, recycled content, biobased products, resource-efficient material, and sustainable products.
Impact Categories were developed by mindful MATERIALS as part of the Common Materials Framework.
| Human Health | Non-toxic, VOC free. Uses a no-added formaldehyde, plant-based adhesive. |
| Climate Health | It is estimated that for every ton of hemp grown 1.6 tons of carbon dioxide is removed. Their manufacturing process utilizes bio and hydro energy to help make this a carbon-negative material. |
| Circular Economy | It is renewable and biodegradable. The company also practices a zero-waste manufacturing process where waste from hemp is used as an energy source and fertilizer for the soil where new hemp is planted. Also packaging is made of recycled corrugated cardboard which has a high recycling rate. |
| Social Health & Equity | All hemp is sourced within 100 miles of where the product is manufactured in Murray, Kentucky. |
| Ecosystem Health | The product has both a "cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)" and has received "Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification. Also, the product contains no "regulated hazardous substances or dangerous substances" and is "formaldehyde-free". |
For more information, see HempWood's documentation.