But since hemp cultivation was banned in many countries for much of the 20th century and beyond, you could be forgiven for not knowing too much about hemp textiles today. However, recent changes in legislation are allowing hemp cultivation to become more widespread, and more and more people are once again discovering the abundant benefits of hemp textiles. Read on to find out what makes hemp so much better than the rest …
Hemp textiles are great for expressing creativity and detail in applications such as clothing or homeware because they handle prints and dyes so well. Hemp textiles allow you to add branding, intricate patterns and splashes of vibrant colour to your creations easily because the nature of the fabric enables efficient absorption of prints and dyes.
With over 50 000 uses, industrial hemp is prized for its incredible versatility – and hemp textiles are just as versatile. Hemp fabrics range from rugged and functional canvas to a toasty, cosy fleece or a luxurious hemp/silk blend and just about everything in between. Artwork, wedding dresses, nappies and surfboards are just some of the things our customers use hemp fabrics for, along with the clothing and accessories that we manufacture.
Hemp’s hollow fibres make hemp textiles highly breathable. This means that hemp clothing has a wonderful light, airy feeling that makes it very comfortable to wear. This breathability gives hemp clothing superior moisture-wicking abilities, meaning you dry faster and stay drier for longer.
Wearing or using hemp textiles is healthy because they naturally possess anti-bacterial and anti-allergy properties. The breathability of hemp textiles prevents the spread of anaerobic bacteria. Hemp textiles are also naturally UV resistant, providing added protection against the sun.
Hemp is exceptionally eco-friendly partly because of how tall – and how fast – it grows. Reaching three to four metres tall in just 3 months, hemp’s fast & potentially infinite supply of fibre is the very definition of sustainable. Additionally, hemp textiles are biodegradable. This means that they can eventually return gently to the earth, compared to synthetic textiles which clog landfills and pollute our oceans for decades to come.
Adding to hemp’s outstanding eco-credentials is the fact that it is much lighter on water, land, pesticides and fertilisers than conventional cotton or flax. This means less harsh or harmful chemicals polluting our soil and water supply. In fact, hemp is known to be able to purify toxins from the soil in a process called phytoremediation.
Hemp textiles have a unique and luxurious look and feel which gives them the unmistakable calibre of exceptional, premium quality.
If you are looking for ways for your brand to tread a bit more lightly, then look no further. Hemp textiles are the solution for brands and consumers with a more conscious and ethical approach because they are plastic-free, biodegradable and sustainable. They also bring that luxurious, premium quality feel to any application, from fashion to accessories, to interiors and so much more. Here are some examples of local South African brands that are using our textiles for their products:
View our range online or contact Philippa at philippa@hemporium.com for wholesale pricing or more information.
