Cellulose Textiles from Hemp Biomass: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

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.

Carbon Neutrality Potential of Textile Products Made from Plant-Derived Fibers

“…Hemp fiber was chosen as the research object because it is a typical plant fiber found from the stem of the hemp plant and has carbon-storage capacity, higher biomass output, and various end-use products [18]. Furthermore, hemp is considered as a preferential cellulosic raw material as cultivation results in CO 2 storage, and it requires less water, fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides than other plant-derived fibers [19]. A case study was implemented to evaluate the carbon storage and temporary carbon storage effects of three 100% hemp fiber products, and also to provide a reference for future carbon footprint systematic assessment of plant fiber products.…”

Conversion of Waste Agricultural Biomass from Straw into Useful Bioproducts—Wheat Fibers and Biofuels

“…Table 2. Cellulose content in some plants [14][15][16][17]. Leveraging this resource as a renewable source of cellulose fibers presents a more sustainable strategy for mitigating substantial volumes of agro-residue.…”

Processes and Challenges for the Manufacturing of Lyocell Fibres with Alternative Agricultural Feedstocks

“…The L-MMCF is known to be environmentally friendly, in comparison with the rayon viscose process. With sustainability and environmental initiatives increasing worldwide, as well as the widening of the Cellulose Gap, L-MMCF are a logical choice for cellulosic manufacturing applications [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Table 1 outlines the advantages and disadvantages of the L-MMCF process in comparison to the viscose process.…”

“…Canopy defines endangered and ancient forests as "intact forest landscape mosaics, naturally rate forest types, forest types that have been made rare due to human activity, and/or other forests that are ecologically critical for the protection of biological diversity" [14]. Current feedstock for L-MMCF include cotton linters, wood (e.g., eucalyptus, beech), and grasses (i.e., bamboo) [1,11,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]; smaller quantities of L-MMCF have been evaluated from residual agricultural biomass (e.g., hemp, bagasse, corn cobs, citrus biproducts, flax noils, kudzu vines, kenaf) [7,12,19,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32], as well as recycled cellulosic textiles commercialised with the Refriba™ technology towards Tencel™ manufacturing [12,33,34]. Agricultural residues and recycled cellulosic textiles as a feedstock for L-MMCF offer new perspectives for sustainable feedstock sourcing.…”

“…Preferred MMCF are manufactured from preferred cellulosic sources, such sustainably managed forests and plantations, recycled pre-and post-consumer cellulosic textiles, and utilisation of alternative fibre sources, such as agricultural biomass (e.g., industrial hemp) [12]. End-use applications for L-MMCF include industrial textiles and apparel, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., flame resistant PPE in oil/gas, mining, electrical, and construction applications); disposable healthcare products (e.g., facemasks, gowns, cleaning wipes); disposable consumer products (e.g., hygiene/sanitation products, cleaning wipes); consumer apparel and textile applications; nonwoven industrial products (e.g., biodegradable geotextiles, carpet backings); and dental products (e.g., dental floss) [7].…”