Does the raw material from fiber hemp have the potential to become the new "better" wood? The founders of The True Green company believe so. We talk with Jadwiga Husarska-Sobina and Piotr Pietras about the potential of using hemp in Poland and the taboos associated with it.
The concept is based on the idea of using the whole plant. Seeds are extracted from the top and then turned into proteins, while hemp straw, which would normally be a waste, is turned into raw material for creating furniture. The company cooperates with the Institute of Natural Fibers and Herbaceous Plants in Poznań. This institution specializes in creating seeds for the Polish and foreign markets. Farmers use the seeds exclusively, and under the agreement, The True Green will collect hemp straw from them.
Hemp wood display made by The True Green
© The True Green
Katarzyna Szostak: How can the raw material that is made from hemp help fight climate change?
Piotr Pietras: Hemp is able to absorb about four times more CO2 in a year than one hectare of forest. They also do not require additional irrigation, fertilization or spraying. They only need liming, which is the proper pH of the soil. Hemp also has a very fast growth rate. It grows as much as 10 centimeters a day. This reduces the need to cut down the forest.
Katarzyna: What is the process of creating this raw material?
Piotr: The technology is secret, so we can't tell the story in detail. Hemp is a different plant than a tree, so we had to develop a kind of know-how. In simple terms, first the raw material is sprinkled. Then the bale enters the production hall, where it is sealed and pressed. After that, the raw material is dried to the right moisture content. Once this process is complete, it can begin to be processed.
Samples of the material
© The True Green
Katarzyna: What are the similarities and differences between this material and wood?
Jadwiga Husarska-Sobina: In terms of properties and appearance, this raw material resembles wood. However, it is harder and less flexible. Its structure resembles grain on the one hand and compressed clapboard on the other. In terms of processing, this material has great potential. We are at the stage of testing and improving it. The raw material is amazing to touch and has a delicate straw-like smell. Even carpenters were fascinated by its smell. In addition, the material is very strong due to its high fiber content.
Katarzyna: What are the possibilities for processing this material?
Jadwiga: We have great many possibilities here. Hemp straw is extremely absorbent, so the raw material catches pigment nicely. We can paint it, stain it, oil it, varnish it, and even age it. However, even without treatment, it looks interesting. This is because it doesn't get too yellow like pine, nor too pink like beech.
Katarzyna: Do you still have a problem with the taboo associated with hemp?
Piotr: It varies. At first regionally it was a big shock. People took pictures of themselves with the crops, did wedding sessions. Today, in areas where hemp is grown, it's already normal and people understand what it's used for. They know us. We also send information to the police about where our crops are.
A bizarre situation happened to us once. A gentleman, coming out of the forest after mushroom picking, saw our crop. He was sure that he had found a field of marijuana, so he tore off the leaves and went to the police. As you can guess, when he arrived at the station, he was arrested. The provincial police had to come specially. The whole process took about 13 hours. It was only after drug tests were done that it was found to be fiber cannabis. As a precautionary measure, the police also came to our place and conducted an inspection.
Jadwiga: We are trying to fight this stereotype, and we prepared a special exhibition during the Łódź Design Festival. At first we were to show only our raw material there, while we decided to promote hemp as well. I'm happy that we can work on a new raw material that will save the forests that are repeatedly cut down by the shortage of raw material.
Re-Hemptation exhibition at Łódź Design Festival
© The True Green
Katarzyna: How big of a problem is the lack of quality wood?
Jadwiga: A big one, because the demand for natural materials is huge. The FSC, an organization that supports sustainable forest management, has announced that more certificates for regional directorates of the Lasy Państwowe have expired. A few forest districts still have them.This shows that we are being cut to the bone, while trees grow for years, creating structure for plants and animals around them. What is happening is reprehensible. We currently have no imports from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Poland is the second largest exporter of furniture in the world. So we are experiencing great difficulties in obtaining raw material. Wood is sold at auctions, and its prices are cosmic and constantly changing. They reach up to 12 thousand per cubic of oak.
We are working to make our raw material predictable and stable. We have the knowledge, competence and the whole suply chain to be able to produce the material in large quantities in the future. Our plan is to replace wood or make up for its shortage.
Katarzyna: When do you plan to start full-scale production?
Piotr: In the first quarter of 2025. Some of the equipment is made specially for us based on the results of our research, and this lengthens the process.
Hempden
© The True Green
Katarzyna: How does Poland compare to Europe and the world in the use of fiber hemp?
Piotr: Historically, Poland had a great deal of hemp cultivation. It is said that it was even about 30,000 hectares. At that time it was believed that hemp was the aspirin of antiquity. Everyone had it in the home garden. The fibers were used to create rope for the horse, socks, a sweater, etc. Soup was cooked from the seeds, and the inflorescences were used as nutraceuticals. The largest processing plant operated in Hrubieszów - Hakon. That is why there are villages like Konopne in this area. Hemp yarn was mainly made there. This was later replaced by artificial substitutes. Now we are going back to our roots a bit. There are about 3,000 hectares of cultivation in Poland. In comparison, in France it's more or less 10 thousand.
We are not a leader in this area. On the other hand, the number of companies that have begun to take an interest in hemp and its processing is increasing. The number of crops will probably increase, especially because hemp is an not demanding plant, so for farmers it can be quite profitable. 150 days after sowing it, you can already make furniture. This plant does not need 35 or 50 years. It is an annual plant. It grows up to 7 meters depending on the soil or seeding density. You can get larger or smaller stems. This was also part of the research we did.
Katarzyna: In how many years, furniture made from fiber hemp will no longer be a novelty, but a regular fixture in Polish homes?
Jadwiga: From the point of view of widely available design, everything will depend on consumer awareness. We are on the right track. We see interest from various institutions and factories that want to use this raw material. The really big players are interested in it. I think that in the homes of conscious consumers we will see such furniture definitely more often. Perhaps there will even be a trend for them?
