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PRESS RELEASE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND
Market Opportunities for Industrial Hemp as an Economically Viable Crop
In the 1938 USA journal, "Popular Mechanics", industrial hemp was
declared a "billion dollar crop". In the year 2008, 70 years later, this
bold statement still applies due to the incredible diversity of end
product uses that can be created from industrial hemp. In Australia,
there has been considerable research and development in the use of
industrial hemp for building material and hempseed for food.
The industrial hemp industry community recognize an industry of
diversification with minimal artificial inputs, and have an approach to
industrial hemp where the aim is to create integrated sustainable
agricultural production systems. To achieve this goal, on Saturday, 5th
July, the Gold Coast was the location of the inaugural Industrial Hemp
Association of Queensland meeting. Representatives from the industrial
hemp and other industries participated in the formation of the
Association at the Rockcote Design Centre in Nerang.
The Industrial Hemp Association of Queensland is looking at appropriate
technologies and processes incorporating principles of sustainable
agriculture and development. Industrial hemp will potentially create a
value stream of products, using processes and systems that are
non-polluting, conserve energy and natural resources, and are
economically viable. One of the goals of the association is to assist
all sectors of the industrial hemp industry to recognize and establish
market opportunities for the varied end use products that will give an
economic benefit to the Queensland economy. One of these markets is low
cost housing and Australia has long been regarded as a leader in "green
building" technology. Rising demand for sustainable building materials
and practices has led to the trialing of industrial hemp in render
systems, construction blocks and composite building panels in
Queensland.
Growth in the industry is positive with a Queensland milling company
leading the way in processing hempseed, by developing new innovative
technology to mill hempseed into a highly nutritional protein powder and
flour, and there are other technologies available to process industrial
hemp into value stream end products.
Another of the Association's goals is to provide the general public,
information on a "green industry" providing many eco-friendly products.
Association President, Kathleen Hawkins said, "This is an opportunity
for manufacturers, processors and investors to be part of a dynamic
rapid growth industry that has proved commercially viable and successful
in other countries, as well as having a low environmental impact."
Industrial hemp will play a big part in helping "clean" the planet due
to hemp being an efficient carbon sequestering plant and a carbon
trading scheme shall be established to support agro-ecological research.
The news last month that the NSW government joined most other states by
passing a bill allowing for the commercial growing of industrial hemp
was welcomed by the Association.
On a global scale, the plant that produces the most net biomass is
industrial hemp. It's the only annually, renewable plant on Earth able
to replace all fossil fuels, and hempseed contains all the amino acids
and essential fatty acids needed to maintain healthy human life.
The aim of the Association is to bring government and all sectors of
industry together to plan a viable hemp future. A future where
industrial hemp is fully integrated into society, providing food,
textile, building materials, bio-plastic, car panels, bio-fuel, sails,
rope, canvas, stock-feed, pallets, eco-friendly paints and varnishes,
paper and cardboard.
Membership is open to individuals @$15 and Hemp companies at $150 a year.
Individual members will receive a 10% discount when shopping with Member Hemp Companies.
For further information and to join the Industrial Hemp Association of
Queensland, contact the Management Committee by email:
ihaq@winshop.com.au
Secretary: Matt Stapleton
1873 Beechmont Rd, Beechmont Qld 4211. Ph; 07 55333 620
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