230 participants from 17 countries, mainly from Europe but also from Canada, China, the United States, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, took part in the 1st edition of the World Hemp Forum at the Troyes Congress Center on 19 and 20 November ( Aube). On the program: round tables dedicated to the evolution of hemp markets in Europe and around the world, visits to La Chanvrière, the Aube farms or exemplary hemp buildings, exhibition space to present the various innovations around this plant with multiple uses .
“Look for expertise where it is found”
The European Hemp Hub, created in 2023, is a cooperative company of collective interest (SCIC) that brings together around forty partners from the hemp value chain and its application markets. “The function of the Hub is to implement all the actions that allow the production and uses of hemp using the Grand Est territory as a demonstration territory because we have a strong production and a well-structured ecosystem, the Aube being the first hemp territory in Europe,” explains Estelle Delaugle, director of Scic.
“But we don’t limit ourselves to this area,” he adds, “since the idea is to look for skills where they are found and to also provide ours in exchange to partners who need them. The World Hemp Forum is the first major event since the creation of the European Hemp Cluster. This type of event did not exist on the complete valorization of industrial hemp. The World Hemp Forum aims to become a permanent event, an edition every two or three years. »
Created in 1973, La Chanvrière is the largest and oldest company on the continent. It brings together 750 farmers who grow more than 13,000 hectares of hemp in a 120km radius around Troyes. Having emerged from the Covid epidemic, the cooperative has doubled its production capacity with the creation of a new site in Saint-Lyé, focusing on market developments. From 47 employees in 2020, there are now 75. From 50,000 tonnes processed we have gone to 80,000.
“We didn’t think it would go so quickly”
“Our Saint-Lyé site will soon reach saturation. We didn’t think it would go so quickly. We represent 70% of industrial hemp production in France. Our plan is to once again increase our processing capacities in order to satisfy the quantities requested by our customers, underlines Benoît Savourat, president of La Chanvrière and European Hemp Pole. I have been president of this cooperative for more than twenty-five years and the market has remained stable for a long time. Triggering the hemp boom was the Covid crisis which raised awareness of a number of issues in the wider economy, with producers now thinking about local supply, with globalization generating transport costs and significant environmental impacts. Hemp is a crop that ticks all the boxes in terms of the products people expect. »
In fact, this plant is now on the rise. Zero waste and multi-purpose, it is grown without pesticides, without a drop of water from field to spinning and everything happens mechanically. New markets are opening up for hemp, such as textiles. Synthetic fibers dominate the market, but their production causes worrying environmental impacts. Hemp-related innovations in the construction sector have multiplied in recent years, driven by the search for sustainable and efficient materials. Hemp is a solution that allows for a healthy habitat. “With regulations evolving towards carbon neutrality, when we build with concrete we release a lot of CO2 into the atmosphere. When we build with hemp, we store CO2 for the entire life of the building,” adds Benoit Savourat.
A multifunctional material
In the automotive industry, hemp fibers are used as a reinforcement in plastics to create lightweight, strong composite materials. They are also used to produce acoustic and thermal insulation materials integrated into vehicle cabins. For the food part, hemp seeds, hemp seeds, provide solutions in terms of plant proteins for human nutrition. It is also increasingly used in cosmetics and animal feed.
The Chanvrière website it is currently undergoing a complete renovation and an e-commerce section is being created to offer its customers the various products and derivatives of the cooperative such as oil, shelled seeds, hemp napkins, spreadable creams. The catalogue is expected to expand in the coming months. As regards the creation of the future production site, Benoit Savourat is aiming for 2026 “if all goes well, with hirings in all job categories”.
What are the main challenges currently faced by the hemp industry in Europe?
Interview: Exploring the Future of Hemp with Estelle Delaugle and Benoît Savourat
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, Estelle and Benoît! Thanks for joining us today. You both play integral roles in the hemp industry, especially following the recent World Hemp Forum. Can you start by sharing the key takeaways from the forum for our audience?
Estelle Delaugle: Thank you for having us! The World Hemp Forum was a landmark event, bringing together 230 participants from 17 different countries. The discussions hinged on the evolution of hemp markets globally, and it underscored the importance of knowledge exchange. We showcased innovations and the vast potential of hemp in various industries.
Benoît Savourat: Absolutely! It was exciting to see such diverse participation. We emphasized the need for collaboration within the hemp value chain and the emergence of new applications, especially in sectors like textiles and construction where sustainability is becoming non-negotiable.
Interviewer: Estelle, you mentioned the European Hemp Hub established in 2023. What role does it play in the development of the hemp industry in Europe?
Estelle Delaugle: The European Hemp Hub serves as a cooperative that unites various players in the hemp value chain. Our primary focus is leveraging the Grand Est territory as a demonstration territory due to its strong production capacity. We aim to implement practical actions that enhance production and applications of hemp, while also sharing expertise across borders.
Interviewer: Benoît, La Chanvrière is the largest hemp co-op in Europe. What has been the impact of your recent expansion, particularly in light of the pandemic?
Benoît Savourat: The pandemic acted as a catalyst for an unexpected surge in hemp interest. We’ve doubled our processing capacity, which has allowed us to respond effectively to rising demands. Our growth has been staggering—we’ve moved from processing 50,000 tonnes to 80,000 tonnes, now representing 70% of France’s industrial hemp production.
Interviewer: That’s remarkable growth! What do you think is driving this hemp boom?
Benoît Savourat: Several factors are at play. The Covid crisis heightened awareness around local supply chains, and many producers are recognizing the environmental impacts of globalized sourcing. Hemp, being a sustainable crop that requires minimal inputs, is gaining traction as a viable alternative to synthetic materials, which have significant environmental footprints.
Interviewer: Estelle, can you elaborate on some of the innovative applications of hemp that were highlighted at the forum, particularly in textiles and construction?
Estelle Delaugle: Certainly! In textiles, hemp is an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fibers, which are predominantly used in the industry. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, the demand for sustainable materials is rising. In construction, we’ve seen hemp-derived materials being utilized for insulation and other building components, driven by the quest for sustainable building practices and energy efficiency.
Interviewer: That’s fascinating! What’s next for the World Hemp Forum? Do you foresee it becoming a recurring event?
Estelle Delaugle: Yes, indeed! We aim for the World Hemp Forum to be established as a biennial event, creating a permanent platform for dialogue and collaboration. It’s crucial we continue this momentum to foster partnerships and drive innovations forward.
Interviewer: Benoît, in light of all these developments, what advice would you give to newcomers who want to enter the hemp industry?
Benoît Savourat: I would say, be prepared to research thoroughly and cultivate relationships within the community. The hemp industry is multifaceted, and knowledge-sharing is vital. Also, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. The opportunities are immense, and with the right approach, newcomers can significantly contribute to this growing field.
Interviewer: Thank you, Estelle and Benoît, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that the hemp industry is not only gaining momentum but also evolving into a cornerstone of sustainable development. We look forward to seeing how you both continue to influence its growth!
Estelle Delaugle: Thank you!
Benoît Savourat: Thanks for having us!