Worldwide demand for man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCF) are increasing as availability of cotton fibre declines due to climate change. Feedstock for MMCF include virgin wood, agricultural residues (e.g., straw), and pre- and post-consumer cellulosic materials high in alpha-cellulose content. Lyocell MMCF (L-MMCF) offer large advantages over other MMCF processes in terms of both environmental and social impacts: the solvent for cellulosic dissolution, n-methyl-morpholine-n-oxide, can be recycled, and the process utilizes non-toxic chemicals and low amounts of water. Hemp can be a preferential cellulosic feedstock for L-MMCF as hemp cultivation results in carbon dioxide sequestration, and it requires less water, fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides than other L-MMCF feedstock crops. These factors contribute to hemp being an environmentally conscious crop. The increased legalization of industrial hemp cultivation, as well as recent lifts on cannabis restrictions worldwide, allows accessibility to local sources of cellulose for the L-MMCF process. In addition, hemp biomass can offer a much larger feedstock for L-MMCF production per annum than other cellulosic sources, such as eucalyptus trees and bamboo. This paper offers perspectives on the agricultural, manufacturing, and economic opportunities and challenges of utilizing hemp biomass for the manufacturing of L-MMCF.
Lyocell is a man-made, regenerated cellulosic fibre developed through cellulose dissolution in non-derivative solvents. Hemp offers a preferential source of cellulose for lyocell production as it is considered an environmentally friendly agricultural crop, requiring less water, fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides than other crops and sequesters carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. There are currently no Canadian sources of domestically manufactured lyocell filament or staple fibres. Our goal is to manufacture 100% lyocell fibre and to demonstrate techniques for pulping and solution-spinning hemp-based lyocell fibre. Utilizing both the bast and hurd of the hemp plant allows for the creation of many different fibre densities with varying properties while contributing to whole plant utilization and Canadian industry creation and expansion.
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