Advanced Hemp Shive

Based Building Materials

What is Hemp Shive?
Chopped fibrous stem of the Hemp plant.






Hemp Shive

Hemp core has a high
silica content which is
unique among natural
fibres.
Production of Hemp Shive
Can be grown virtually anywhere

Does not require pesticides

Reversal effect on environmental deterioration

Natural low carbon footprint

Grows very quickly and in small spaces

No wastage as every element of crop can be used
Properties of Hemp Shive
Breathable construction material

Naturally absorbs CO
2

Very hydrophilic (can absorb up to 450% its own weight)

High thermal insulation

Flexible and malleable

Alternative to aggregate in certain applications

High silica content which allows it to bind well with the lime
binder used for Hempcrete

What is Hempcrete?
Applications In Construction
Hempcrete
Mixture of Hemp Shives, Lime Based Binder and Water
Usually contains cement/inorganic material
To optimise composite properties, 40% of mix is Hemp Shive

Insulation

Wall Coverings

Plaster/Stucco

Flooring Products
Polypropylene Hemp Shive composites
Processed using plastic forming methods e.g. extrusion

Fibre board

Hempcrete Advantages
Low embodied energy
High embodied carbon
Very good thermal insulation properties
Good noise insulation properties
Breathes, key to the prevention of condensation
Resistant to rodent, insect, fungi and bacteria attack
Flexible and crack resistant
Visually attractive and pliable
Lightweight (Appx. 1/7
th
the weight of concrete)
Improves with age
Sustainable and Recyclable
Non-toxic
Low density in comparison to Concrete


Hempcrete Disadvantages
Typical compressive strength of 1MPa hence can not be used as a
structural element
1/20 of that of concrete

Density only 15% that of concrete (however this could be good!)

Walls must be supported by a frame (timber/masonry)

Territorial legislation
Red tape
Expensive imports (reduces the carbon negativity)

Complicated initial start-up

Can not be used for foundation construction

Extensive exposure to moisture can significantly deteriorate properties

Comparison

COMPARE AGAINST A TRADITIONAL
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
Applications Outside Construction
The Need For Further Innovation
Research needed to drive down cost
Niche market in Europe
Cost must be lowered and technology adopted to reduce fuel
demand due to import

Positive impact on environment through use of Hemp Shive

The ability to achieve better than zero carbon through further
innovation across the entire industry

Small number of successful buildings in the UK

Significant barriers to the wider uptake of hemp shive lime
Lack of confidence in use/performance of plant based material
No design guidance (including construction detail/specification)
Limited understanding of hygrothermal behaviour
The Future
Huge investment required

Incentives to grow more crop

Generate and capture robust scientific and engineering
knowledge of the raw material to characterise:
Physical properties
Mechanical properties

Trends to be set by high profit organisations

What needs to be done in the immediate future?