Industrial Hemp for Biomass and Oil

April 2019

First group meeting

The aim was to provide broader introduction to RISS, establish group connections, clarify the purpose of the group, and to identify and progress actions.

- Initial discussion was regarding the need to realise the full value of all the hemp plant if we are to make it an attractive crop to grow, with some figures presented on growing costs obtained from the British Hemp Association. Biomass is one opportunity, but many others in the areas of food and drink, biomaterials, and others. Rowett provided a good presentation of the research they are undertaking on hemp and are interested in the link the group can provide to real world growers. Discussed hemp oil as a potential sideline for cold pressed rapeseed oil producers. The group also had an overview of Green Grow project and potential use of hemp as a substrate for growing mycelium and as a bioplastic.
- Next discussion was around agronomy of hemp and the varieties suited to Scotland. SRUC provided some key insights and an ideal scenario would be undertake structured trails. Growers are keen to do a quick trial this season if seed and licenses can be secured in time.
- More discussions about processing and harvesting machinery. Seems clear that there is little off the shelf kit suited to hemp - most is bespoke. The processing requirements and costs will vary according to the end-use application(s) identified. Early indications suggest hemp processing facilities would require a fairly substantial capital investment.
- Carbon story for hemp: Part of the attraction of growing hemp may be around the carbon story which will be attractive to policy makers and the wider supply chain. Suggestion from group that it has a higher level of carbon capture than woodland (x5 per hectare) and that focusing on the soil carbon element will be key.

Milestone: Understand the agronomics and economics of hemp production for growers in Scotland