Hemp company creates innovative use of byproduct

Rachel Emerson led an INL team of researchers to perform a series of tests, including checking for densification properties, chemical composition and polymer contamination of the hemp dust and short fiber for Hempitecture. (PHOTO: COURTESY OF INL)

//By Joelyn Hansen, Idaho National Laboratory//

Some people may look at piles of hemp dust and fiber waste lying on the floor after a day of manufacturing thermal insulation and simply see trash.

However, Matthew Mead from Hempitecture wondered if he could turn that trash into treasure. “It really presents a great opportunity for us,” Mead said. “Whether it’s another way for us to provide additional products to our growing customer base or simply for us to reach our own sustainability goals.”

For decades businesses have turned unexpected byproducts — such as molasses from sugar production or gasoline from oil refining — into viable goods for consumers.

Hempitecture, a Jerome, Idaho, manufacturing company that produces plant-based insulation and acoustic building materials from hemp fibers, saw the potential to use the hemp dust and fiber short straw or waste for creating biomass pellets or absorbents.

Biomass pellets are made from a variety of different agricultural waste materials, like corn husks, cotton stalks and alfalfa straw, that are compacted into a pellet. Hempitecture had interest in using the pellets for biopower as an eco-friendly alternative to using coal or other fossil fuels for heating.

Even if hemp pellets didn’t end up on Hempitecture’s product listings for customers, Hempitecture could use them to reduce natural gas consumption at their facility, Mead said.

Making dust into pellets

Creating biomass pellets isn’t just squishing dust and straw together and calling it a pellet. Making pellets requires determining certain characteristics, such as moisture level and energy consumption, to make sure it’s economically and environmentally practical, Mead said.

To test and analyze these characteristics, Hempitecture relied on experts at the Biomass Feedstock National User Facility at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The facility helps the bioenergy industry overcome challenges related to turning sources such as wood, biomass energy crops, municipal solid waste and agricultural residues into valuable fuels and clean chemicals.

Hempitecture saw the potential to use the hemp dust and fiber waste for creating biomass pellets or absorbents. (PHOTO: COURTESY OF INL)

Hempitecture accessed testing and analysis for free through the INL’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP). TAP provides organizations and small businesses with 40 hours of free access to the laboratory’s world-class expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and advanced research capabilities, especially for projects that align with the lab’s mission.

“TAP is one of the most worthwhile programs we can offer at INL to help move the needle on changing the world’s energy future,” said Jim Keating, INL’s TAP manager. “Working with companies like Hempitecture is a win-win, especially when we’re trying to accomplish some of the same goals.”

INL researcher Rachel Emerson led a team to perform a series of tests, including checking for densification properties, chemical composition and polymer contamination of the hemp dust and short fiber. The goal was to determine which products it would be suitable for, including fuel pellets; absorbents for the petrochemical industry; or even dust-free, blowable loose insulation.

The team experimented with multiple sample compositions of the material and provided detailed feedback about each sample’s characterizations. For example, they tried a few different densifications of pellets made from materials with moisture levels ranging from 10% to 30% to determine which moisture level best met fuel standards. The data demonstrated some promising options for Hempitecture, while other results helped weed out products that weren’t as ideal or feasible.

“We’re fortunate to utilize TAP to expand our collaboration opportunities with small businesses within the bioenergy/bioproduct field,” Emerson said. “Our goal is to support technology development associated with renewable resources, such as the hemp waste. Working with Hempitecture represents a step forward in meeting this goal.”

Next steps

The data collected affirmed there are feasible uses for the hemp dust and short fiber, particularly the potential creation of absorbents or fuel pellets. INL also outlined additional material testing that may benefit Hempitecture if it wants to proceed further with product development.

The next steps are in the hands of Hempitecture. Mead said his company is grateful for the invaluable information received from INL. The data will boost the company’s confidence as it chooses what to do with the hemp byproducts, Mead said.

Mead also hopes this interaction between Hempitecture and INL opens the door to more collaboration.

“To be working with the bright minds at INL is an honor,” he said. “I hope this is a springboard for more opportunities to work with INL. These public-private partnerships are invaluable for these types of projects, especially for small businesses.”

This story provided courtesy of Idaho National Laboratory.