Former footballer Anthony Coffey discovered the benefits of hemp for its medicinal properties when he was living with chronic pain from sports injuries.
His exploration of hemp growing for medical purchases led him to become involved in a growing Australian industry working to provide more sustainable materials for home builders keen to reduce their carbon footprint.
“There was an issue where the farmer was reluctant to grow because they didn’t have a buyer and people using hemp for hempcrete building couldn’t guarantee supply,” he said.
About a year ago, Mr Coffey invested in an industrial hemp processor in Crescent Head on the New South Wales Mid North Coast where he supplies hemp for products such as shipping pallets and building materials, such as hempcrete.
At least eight industrial hemp processors are operating in Australia. Mr Crossey is one of four processors in NSW with others in the New England, Hunter, and Riverina regions.
The NSW government estimated the global hemp industry was set to quadruple by 2027 to $18.6 billion. In response, it has set up a taskforce to enhance legislation and boost hemp production, including for construction products like hempcrete.
What is hempcrete?
Hemp used in buildings requires processed hemp with a lime render to make hempcrete, which can be used as bricks or rammed and set into walls as a facade.
An industrial processor, such as a decorticator machine, splits the hemp stalk into hurd (the inner layer) used for construction materials, and fibre (the outer layer), commonly employed for textiles.
Associate professor at the School of Civil Engineering at Sydney University Yixiang Gan said there were “two major benefits” to using hempcrete in housing.
“It has a much less carbon footprint, compared with concrete,” Dr Gan said.
Dr Gan said it also provides superior strength, thermal performance and insulation to protect the building from heat or cold.
Hunter-based hemp farmer Bob Doyle has supplied hemp for more than 150 homes in Australia since 2010.
He said a lack of demand for all plant parts in Australia hinders farmers’ profitability.
“The easiest part to sell at the moment is going into construction. [But] there isn’t a corresponding market at the moment in bast fibre,” Mr Doyle said.
Mr Doyle said the biggest challenge was increasing the bast fibre industry, which was predominantly used for the textile industry, so the farmer could sell all parts of the plants.
Farmers received about $400 a tonne for hemp, but Mr Doyle said they needed to be getting $500 or more a tonne to “crank up” the industry.
He expected there would be demand for up to 1,500 hemp homes a year if the task force could help boost the bast fibre industry.
Can I use it to build my house now?
In short: Yes, but it depends on how much you are willing to pay.
Australian Hemp Masonry Company managing director and member of the NSW hemp task force, Klara Marosszeky has tripled supply of hempcrete in the past decade to 40 homes a year.
As demand grew, Ms Marosszeky said imported materials were being brought in as the Australian industry was unable to keep pace.
Ms Marosszeky said hempcrete was also attracting commercial interest, with the product used recently by Mildura Rural City Council in Victoria to build its Powerhouse precinct — a community cultural hub.
“That’s really significant and exciting because it’s the commercial sector dipping their toes in and gaining confidence,” Ms Marosszeky said.
But the Housing Industry Association’s CEO Simon Croft said Australia’s building codes and standards did not support all the alternative building methods available.
“The lack of familiarity of use of these types of systems can act as a bit of a deterrent,” he said.
What’s next?
For this reason, Dr Gan and other researchers at the University of Sydney are testing different hempcrete products’ properties and uses to include the material in the Australian Building Code.
“The idea of doing research here is to convince the federal government to change the building code,” Dr Gan said.
Dr Gan said the thermal properties are needed in the building code to make it easier for builders and owner-builders to get building approvals.
In the meantime, the NSW Hemp taskforce remains committed to investigating market opportunities, addressing supply challenges, and enhancing the legislative framework to foster industry growth.
At its second meeting on March 21, the taskforce aims to set the groundwork for a comprehensive work plan for the year to meet those goals.
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