What Is Hemp Biomass? Every Detail You Need

What is hemp biomass?

It’s a question even people in related industries don’t always know the answer to, but it’s one worth asking. Properly utilizing hemp biomass can be both profitable and help the planet. It really is the key to operating efficiently in the hemp industry.

Join us we review what exactly hemp biomass is, its uses, and what this might mean for those involved in hemp-related industries.

 

What is Hemp Biomass?

Biomass can be a confusing term to nail down. Depending on where one gets their information, the exact definition you find may be different.

That said, usually, hemp biomass is referring to the whole hemp plant. More specifically, it is often used to describe bulk, extraction-grade industrial hemp.

Things get a bit more confusing in that the term is also used to refer specifically to the waste of hemp plants. Under this umbrella, hemp biomass is basically what is what hemp leaves when it undergoes traditional extraction. This would thus refer to hemp leaves and stalks, with hemp flowers only included after they’ve undergone extraction.

Whatever the chosen definition, the term is generally used in the context of more efficiently processing the hemp plant. Hemp is known for being a somewhat resource-intensive plant, which procs some to have environmental concerns about its mass production. Hemp requires a fair deal of land and water to grow properly.

By more fully using the plant (the hemp biomass), one can help to offset these environmental concerns. More broadly, learning to efficiently use a product tends to simply be profitable, regardless of one’s environmental concerns. There is little reason not to use hemp biomass more effectively.

 

What Can Hemp Biomass Do for Us?

Hemp is actually a quite famously versatile plant. There’s a strong argument its growth and processing would be ubiquitous in the United States if not for the anti-marijuana movement of the 20th century. As laws lax and opinions shift, it has become the crop of choice among many farmers looking to turn a profit.

Famously even America’s own George Washington grew hemp. This is one well-established plant. (Also note George Washington grew industrial hemp, not marijuana as many erroneously believe, with his crop having no physical or psychological effects.)

 

Exactly what hemp biomass can do depends on its nature. Its potential uses include:

CBD & CBG Extraction

If you find the right hemp biomass for sale, the biomass can be used to produce CBD oil, as well as CBG Isolate and CBG Broad Spectrum Distillate. Not only is this efficient use of the plant, it’s also profitable. CBD and CBG products are in high and growing demand.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is discussed less than CBD but should be no less exciting. While more studies are needed, CBG has shown promise in treating symptoms of IBS, appetite loss, and more! As CBG grows in popularity and is better studied, it is likely many useful discoveries will be made about its properties.

One problem is that CBG extraction often requires large quantities of hemp, which is where fully utilizing hemp biomass comes into play. By taking advantage of every relevant part of the hemp plant, it becomes possible to extract CBG in bigger quantities.

Fuel

Hemp biomass is actually a fairly effective fuel source thanks to the cellulose and fiber contained in hemp. Hemp can be processed into methanol or ethanol, both of which are a much greener fuel source than traditional fossil fuels.

Ethanol is often seen as a key part of a greener tomorrow. Able to burn fairly clean, it is also non-toxic and will break down harmlessly if spilled. Ethanol can also cut gasoline, with most modern gasolines containing at least some ethanol.

Admittedly, ethanol does produce CO2, a greenhouse gas, when produced and burned. However, hemp and other plants that can be processed into ethanol also absorb CO2 as they grow.

The only real debate is whether this puts turning hemp into ethanol at a truly carbon-neutral or simply low impact level. The exact answer depends on how each step of the process is performed. Whatever the case, the environmental impact will almost invariably beat the extraction and use of fossil fuels.

Fiber

Hemp biomass is capable of producing incredibly durable fibers, useful in rope production, clothing production, and more.

Used by sailors and fishermen for centuries, hemp rope is resistant to water damage and rot. Unless intentionally cut, it can be relied upon to last through immense pressures without breaking.

This durability and water resistance can be utilized by clothing manufacturers too. Hemp clothing can be far longer lasting than many modern alternatives and makes for a great choice of material in clothes that must take a beating.

Whether it is being used for insulation, fabric, carpet, or more, hemp fiber is undeniably quite useful.

 

Curious to Know More?

What is hemp biomass? You have your answer.

Even if you were unfamiliar with the term, you probably knew about at least some of its products. If we can learn to fully utilize hemp biomass, it can potentially have a real positive environmental impact on the world.

If you liked this article and would like to learn more, we have a host of articles on a variety of topics. We’ve got more articles on hemp and related products, as well as articles on just about everything else too. Whatever you’re interested in, we likely have something that can help you learn more about it.