< RETURN TO NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE LISTINGS JULY NEWSLETTER 2008 ( 2008-07-25 05:07:55 )
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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