Hempcrete Insulation- A Sustainable Alternative

Hempcrete insulation is made of hemp and lime and is a sustainable alternative for insulation in homes and buildings.

Hemp is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, second to bamboo. It was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fibre 50 000 years ago. Today, we use hemp fibre in rope, bags, purses, clothing, beauty products, and household products. In addition to its fast growth, hemp is also environmentally sustainable. The production of hemp requires less land than cotton, releases fewer toxic substances into the soil and requires very few pesticides. It is also considered a carbon-negative raw material, which means it absorbs more carbon than it produces.

Hempcrete Insulation in Construction

Hemp is now used in the construction industry to create building materials such as hemp-clay bricks and hempcrete insulation. Hempcrete is made of bio-fibre (hemp) and a mineral binder (lime). The ingredients are blended with water, creating a chemical reaction that creates a binder setting that glues the hemp particles together. Hempcrete is used as an insulation replacement due to its thermal, structural and moisture-handing properties. Hemp can store a lot of moisture because of its porous structure. Along with the properties found in the lime binder, which causes it to resist the development of mold, hempcrete can be used in both hot and cold climates and anywhere where humidity levels are high. 

Hempitecture is the US leader in hempcrete insulation construction. Their mission is to use bio-based resources as alternatives to the synthetic and often toxic materials used across construction-related industries. The company has created Hempcrete and HempWool products for insulation in construction projects. Their HempWool is designed to replace the pink insulation traditionally found in homes and buildings. It is made from 90% hemp fibers and 10% lime binder and is grown in the US using renewable energy. It can be used in walls, floors, ceilings, attics, and partition walls and will completely replace fiberglass, mineral wool and spray foam. The product has no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or toxins that can be released into interior spaces and is 100% fireproof.

The USA Inflation Reduction Act aims to reduce construction materials’ costs and promote energy efficiency in buildings. Hempcrete insulation could be an excellent choice for builders looking to take advantage of the incentives the act offers. These incentives may include tax credits, rebates, and other financial incentives to help offset the cost of using sustainable insulation like hempcrete. The Inflation Reduction Act has the potential to provide significant incentives for builders and homeowners who use sustainable and energy-efficient materials such as hempcrete insulation.

There is an opportunity for the construction industry to significantly reduce its environmental impact simply by choosing more sustainable insulation for their buildings. Hemp is accessible, affordable, and ideal for people who want to do better for the environment and our planet.