hemp-5375748-1280.jpg
Tkaniny z konopi na My TexStyle.

Hemp Renaissance – a Chance for an Ecological Future or a Fad?

14 november 2024
Undemanding, healthy and highly ecological, hemp fibres, in times of climate crisis and excessive consumption of natural resources, seem to be an ideal solution for producing clothes, home textiles, and special-purpose clothing. Will they be able to replace economical synthetics and provide ecological support for the textile and construction industries? The answer comes from Kombinat Konopny – an exhibitor at the My TexStyle Expo

Hemp fibres, known and used for centuries, are now experiencing a real renaissance, especially in the face of the search for alternatives to synthetic materials and non-renewable resources. Durability, ecological properties, and wide use in the production of textiles, construction materials, and packaging favour the return to hemp . At the same time, however, the sector is facing challenges that may determine its further development or stagnation. Experts identify several main problems: costs, lack of specialised staff and low public awareness.

The situation has deteriorated due to the crisis in the textile industry's supply, which has been dependent on synthetic fibres derived from oil for years. Hemp fibres, due to their resistance and ecological values, seem to be the ideal alternative. Hemp cultivation requires less water and minimal fertilisers and pesticides, and these plants have a high capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. However, Poland still lacks sufficient infrastructure to allow for large-scale processing of hemp.

Legislative support, especially the adoption of regulations supporting hemp processing, especially the processing of fibres into fabrics and construction materials, could attract investment and develop local processing infrastructure, significantly increasing the availability of hemp products. Supporting this sector development would undoubtedly contribute to the entry of hemp fabric producers into a wider market and would have a tangible impact reducing the consumption of non-renewable raw materials.

The hemp fibre industry then and now

Hemp has been cultivated and its fibres used for centuries in many different countries of the world. The countries most focused on hemp are

  • China – the largest hemp producer in the world. They have a long history of using hemp fibre to produce textile products;
  • India – a rich tradition of using fibre to produce items such as clothes and ropes;
  • Canada – one of the main producers of hemp with hemp industry thriving and mainly focussed on the textile sector;

Other countries that have also developed a cannabis industry include Ukraine, France, the USA and Italy. Hemp fibres were produced and processed all over the world until around the 1930s. The 1990s saw the demonisation of hemp and the introduction of bans on its cultivation and use.

Today, there are only a few companies in Poland that produce hemp fabrics  with the largest of them - Kombinat Konopny which owns as many as 40 hectares of fields and machines of our own design. One of the Kombinat Konopny goals is to make CBD oils and other natural hemp-based supplements affordable for as wide a group of people as possible. The company's offer includes products such as CBD oils with a full spectrum of phytosubstances, cannabidiol in the form of capsules or teas, cosmetics, healthy hemp food, and animal supplements. The company’s other business profile is the textile sector. The objective - natural hemp-based materials should be brought back into the mainstream of the broadly defined textile and fiber industry in Poland and worldwide.  Countless trials and experiments, which often required connecting several machines from completely different worlds, the creators of the Kombinat Konopny have reached the stage where they can create hemp yarn, which is then used to create finished textiles – sweaters, hats, curtains and many others.

You can become familiar with the Kombinat Konopny offer at the International Expo of Textile Machines, Materials and Accessories My TexStyle. The event is held from 7 to 9 May in Targi Kielce.

 Do you want to become on of the exhibitors? Register for My TexStyle: https://www.targikielce.pl/my-texstyle/wystawca/zostan-wystawca 

Recommended articles
02 december 2024
The Polish manufacturer of special laminates will present its offer at the International Expo of Textile Machines, Materials and Accessories My TexStyle held from 7 to 9 May 2025. The exhibition will be an excellent opportunity to learn about textile chemicals, specialist textiles and machines for recycling fabrics
27 november 2024
Targi Kielce was among the 500 strongest Polish brands, alongside giants such as H&M, Philips, Visa, and MasterCard. This results from the annual study of brand media coverage in Poland, by the “Press” magazine in cooperation with PSMM Monitoring & More
05 november 2024
The European Commission expert on sustainable solutions for the fashion industry, founder of WoshWosh and one of the 15 most promising women in business according to Forbes, has become the ambassador of the International Expo of Textile Machines, Materials and Accessories My TexStyle. She is promotional and knowledge support for the event!
24 october 2024
TEKATEX will present machines for the textile industry and a wide range of additional services during the International International Expo of Textile Machines, Materials and Accessories My TexStyle. The event held from 7 to 9 May 2025 brings together numerous producers of fabrics, machines, accessories and sewing accessories. Register today and join the exhibitors at the most technological textile trade fair
16 october 2024
A Polish company producing hemp products will present its offer at the Targi Kielce International Expo of Textile Machines, Materials and Accessories! You will be able to get to know the textiles assortment from Kombinat Konopny from 7 to 9 May 2025
14 october 2024
The summit, organised by Vogue Polska and Boston Consulting Group, focused on sustainable solutions for the textile industry, innovations, and the environmental impact of clothing production. Representatives of the My TexStyle expo were also present at the event!
12 september 2024
TEXTEST has joined the exhibitors’ milieus at the International Expo of Textile Machines, Materials and Accessories; the event offers the the Swiss company the opportunity to present laboratory equipment for technical textiles. The event is held in Kielce exhibition and Congress Centre from 7 and 9 May 2025 in the Kielce exhibition and congress centre
12 august 2024
A well-known fabric wholesaler presents high-quality fabrics for the medical, catering, hotel and construction industries with over 20 years of experience. You can become familiar with the KONEKT offer at the International Expo of Textile Machines, Materials and Accessories My TexStyle. The event is held from 7 to 9 May in Targi Kielce