Biomass Feedstock Innovation: Hemp 30
The University of York and the Biorenewables Development Centre were chosen to create a roadmap for the UK hemp industry. The UK government’s Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme part of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS) Net Zero Innovation Portfolio identified hemp as one of the viable solutions for the UK to meet its net zero targets. Rare Earth Global acted as advisors from industry to the Hemp 30 team, including speaking to Dr Joe Ross, Dr Maggie Smallwood and Lucinda Tolhurst, who all have at least 15 years specialising in bio renewables and/or agriculture.
For the 10 year roadmap for the UK hemp industry to succeed, we drew on our experience having analysed and created partnerships globally along the full supply chain. From farming to processing we elaborated on targets, strategies and plans that could be integrated into the UK government planning to deliver on the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.
Topics discussed included:
UK government policy towards hemp
Education for farmers, industry and society
Scaling industrial hemp 100-fold in the UK from 800 hectares to 80,000 hectares
Seed variety, registration and breeding
Land selection, harvesting and marginal land
Which of the many uses of hemp should be the focus
Voluntary carbon markets and other forms of auxiliary revenue or subsidies
The conclusion was that industrial hemp will become a mainstream crop and can reach the target of 80,000 hectares based on the industry demand we have developed over the last 3 years. The industry, though, can be accelerated to a greater impact through the UK government’s support; from policy changes to green incentives. The market size for hemp products is vast as they provide a carbon neutral or negative solution to many fossil fuel based alternatives while not competing with food supply chains, due to the nutritious seeds that are produced.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1089680/Phase_1_report_-_University_of_York_-_HEMP-30_catalysing_a_step_change_in_the_production.pdf