What is Hemp Paper Made of?

While wood paper may have dominated the paper industry for many years, a relative newcomer in the paper world is generating a lot of worthy buzz: hemp paper. What is hemp paper, and what is hemp paper made out of? Get a closer look at hemp paper below.

What is Hemp Paper?

Hemp paper is a paper product made out of fibers harvested from the hemp plant. While most hemp paper found on the market contains a mix of hemp and wood pulp or even cotton or other materials, Mill26 makes hemp paper using 100% hemp.

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The Composition of Hemp Paper

Hemp paper’s composition can look like traditional wood-based paper at first glance. However, its composition is made up of dense fibers taken from the hemp plant instead of wood. The paper can be just as flexible and just as versatile for various types of usage, but the overall strength is superior. For example, hemp paper is more resilient when exposed to moisture and may not rip or tear as easily due to its durability.

To understand what hemp paper is made of, it is a good idea to understand how hemp paper is made. After harvesting, hemp plants go through decortication, where the outer bast fibers are separated from the inner woody core. Because of its remarkable tensile strength, this material can be challenging to handle. Specialized equipment, like a decorticator, is employed to efficiently extract the fibers.

These fibers are then cleaned and turned into pulp, which is formed into sturdy, flexible sheets. The result is a strong, eco-friendly paper that’s perfect for everything from stylish packaging to high-quality prints, offering both durability and a sustainable alternative to traditional paper.

Hemp paper can also have various compositions depending on the manufacturer. Most companies combine hemp fibers with other materials, which affects durability, resilience, and overall quality. However, all hemp paper made at Mill26 is 100% hemp to ensure every paper product is the highest quality possible.

What part of hemp is used to make paper?

The flower and leaves of hemp plants can be used for other purposes. However, the primary parts of a hemp plant used to make hemp paper come from its dense, woody stalk. Two parts of the hemp stalk can technically be used to make paper, including:

• Hemp Bast Fibers: The primary material used in hemp paper, these fibers come from the outer layer of the hemp stalk. They are long, strong, and flexible, making them ideal for high-quality paper production.
• Hemp Hurds (or Shives): The woody core of the hemp stalk, which is less used in paper making but can be processed to add bulk and texture to the paper.

The Applications of Hemp Paper

Now that you know how hemp paper is made, the natural next curiosity is what is hemp paper used for? Where could it be most beneficial? Check out just a few of the ways hemp paper is making waves in worlds were wood-pulp-based paper once reigned as king:

• Cannabis Dispensaries: Hemp paper is perfect for creating branded packaging, dispensary bags, and promotional materials, providing a sustainable option for cannabis-related businesses.
• Cannabis Product Packaging: Ideal for eco-friendly packaging solutions, ensuring that cannabis products are both well-protected by durable materials and environmentally responsible in an arena where plastic waste is a growing concern.
• Paper Bags: Durable and biodegradable, hemp paper makes excellent shopping and retail bags that are more resilient to moisture, easier to reuse, and less likely to end up in a landfill.
• Paper Rolls: Versatile for a variety of industrial and commercial uses, from wrapping materials to production processes, hemp paper rolls are rapidly growing to be preferred over standard cardboard.
• Art and Craft Industries: Hemp paper is ideal for specialty papers used in artistic projects, including handmade crafts and high-quality art supplies.
• Printing Industry: Hemp paper provides a sustainable alternative for printing materials such as brochures, business cards, and flyers.
• Construction: Can be incorporated into eco-friendly paper-based building materials and insulation products, such as electrical wiring insulation and protective installation backings.
• Education: Hemp paper is perfect for creating notebooks, educational materials, and other paper products with a lower environmental impact and higher resilience than wood paper for years of heavy use.

Embrace the Future with Hemp Paper Products from Mill26

With their outstanding quality, durability, and eco-friendliness, hemp paper products stand out as top contenders for replacing traditional wood-pulp paper. At Mill26, we’re excited to lead the way in innovative paper manufacturing by producing paper crafted entirely from 100% hemp. Explore the Mill26 hemp paper collection or let us know how we can help you bring your ideas for a hemp paper product to life.

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