Application of Natural (Plant) Fibers Particularly Hemp Fiber as Reinforcement in Hybrid Polymer Composites - Part II. Volume of Hemp Cultivation, Its Application and Sales Market

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe paper is a second part of a multi-aspect analysis of whether it is feasible and practical to use (plant) natural fibers processed into fabrics and mats as homogeneous or hybrid reinforcement in polymer composites used in various industrial sectors. The paper presents the volume of hemp cultivation worldwide, in Europe and in Poland 2016–2022. It also sets out the percentage share of hemp application in nine industrial sectors. The presented statistics includes total volume of industrial hemp stalks market, which is a by-product of hemp farming in the main geographical regions of the world and in Poland. The paper gives examples of current sales of hemp at the USA market, with sales until 2022. The paper discusses the possibility of using industrial hemp as “noble reinforcement that is fully recyclable” of a new generation of polymer structural composites which can be applied in modern sectors of bulky structures, including sea-going vessels.

Keywords

• Polymer structural composites
• Industrial hemp (cannabis sativa L.)
• plant fibers
• utilization
• recycling
• 聚合物结构复合材料