The number of companies manufacturing and selling textiles
based on hemp fibers are gradually increasing worldwide. Hemp
fabric or hemp textiles are made from cannabis sativa fiber or
industrial hemp. Being a natural, renewable and biodegradable
material, hemp enjoys obvious advantages over synthetic textile
materials like acrylic, polyester, nylon and spandex used for making
fabrics.
Hemp creates one of the most eco-friendly fabrics in the world.
Hemp requires no pesticides or herbicides, controls erosion of
the topsoil, and produces oxygen. It is a renewable resource that
can be cultivated in as little as 100 days and is the world’s most
versatile fiber. In comparison, cotton is more water-intensive and
takes longer to reach harvest age and produces less fibers per acre.
Hemps’ tensile strength is eight times that of cotton fiber which
accounts for its historical use in sails and rope for the British and
American Navies. It is an exceptionally durable fabric - longer
lasting than cotton - and does not lose shape easily.
Fabrics made from hemp are hypo-allergenic and non-irritating
to the skin. Hemp has the look and feel of classic linen. Hemp
materials also soften with age and with each washing. Like linen
and cotton, hemp is a cool choice for summer. It breathes well and
is recommended for warm, humid climates as the fabric resists
mildew and absorbs moisture. It is also UV resistant.
However, there are some associated disadvantages as well.
For instance, hemp wrinkles easily and can be somewhat scratchy
(depending upon the blend), so it is often blended with other
fabrics like linen, cotton and silk to give it a softer feel. Hemp is also
not colorfast. Given that mainstream brands like Adidas, Quiksilver,
Patagonia and others have added products made of hemp to
their repertoire has helped popularize hemp as a garment fiber.
Today, there are many brands like Woolrich, Cannabeings Designs,
Hemp Authority and others that specialize in hemp clothing and
accessories that are available through mainstream commercial
channels like Amazon and others.
Some examples of commercial products available are hemp
blended yarn with cotton/organic cotton by Hemp Active, an
Austrian company. A few companies in Europe are selling hemp/
polyester 60/40 blends and hemp/wool/polyester 40/40/20
blends. Hemp Textiles, Canada, supplies blend of hemp/wool
50/50. A blend of the natural strength of hemp, the soft elasticity of
cotton or the smooth texture of silk creates a whole new spectrum
of textiles for fashion design.