Hemp paper

Historical Development of Hemp Paper

• First coarse paper made from hemp in early Western Han dynasty
• Papermaking advancements by Cai Lun around 2000 years ago
• Use of recycled hemp clothing, rags, and fishing nets for paper production
• Spread of papermaking process to Korea, Japan, and Europe over centuries

Early Western and Industrial Use of Hemp Paper

• Hemp paper usage in Germany in the 14th century
• Saint Petersburg paper mill in Russia using hemp as main input
• Comparison of hemp hurds with wood pulp for papermaking
• Decline and resurgence of hemp cultivation for paper in the U.S.
• U.S. scientists creating paper from hemp pulp in 1916

Fiber Sources for Paper Production

• Common fiber sources before industrialization, including recycled textiles
• Invention of deinking process for recycled paper in 1774
• Introduction of wood pulp reducing dependence on recycled materials
• Shift towards wood pulp production in the 19th century
• Development of contemporary deinking methods

20th Century Trends and Challenges in Hemp Paper Production

• High cellulose content of hemp compared to wood
• Lower lignin content in hemp, requiring fewer chemicals
• Decline in industrial hemp cultivation post-World War II
• Global hemp fiber production decline by 2003
• Challenges in hemp pulp production cost compared to wood pulp

Contemporary Hemp Paper Industry

• Niche market for hemp pulp, especially in cigarette paper production
• Global hemp pulp production around 120,000 tons in 1991
• Bleaching of hemp pulp with hydrogen peroxide, similar to wood pulp
• Notable legal reforms impacting hemp cultivation and paper production
• Challenges and insights from the European hemp industry

Hemp paper Data Sources