Hemp is the strongest fibre with natural antibacterial properties.
Useful properties
Hemp is naturally antimicrobial, so there will be no unpleasant odours and no build-up of mould or fungus.
Hemp fibre clothing does not moult and repels moths.
Hemp is one of the strongest and most durable organic fibres. Hemp clothing has a tensile strength up to 3 times higher than cotton.
Hemp is more breathable than cotton. It has a high level of absorbency, so it absorbs sweat and moisture from the body very quickly.
Suitable all year round: warming in winter and cooling in summer. Absorbs about 20-30% of its total weight in moisture and evaporates quickly.
The fabric is resistant to salt water and UV rays.
Hemp is environmentally friendly
Hemp can produce 250% more fibre than cotton and 600% more fibre than flax on the same amount of land.
Hemp requires very little water - rainwater is sufficient.
Hemp yields without the need for pesticides and herbicides.
Hemp helps soil regeneration processes.
Prevents erosion by forming a deep root system as it grows, thus protecting the soil from erosion.
1 hectare of hemp absorbs 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the environment.
Hemp absorbs 4 times more carbon dioxide than certain trees.
Hemp textiles are extremely durable, contributing to reduced consumption.
Every journey begins with a step - so we invite you to take small steps towards a cleaner environment by supporting local production and discovering the unique qualities of a forgotten plant - hemp.
Some history of hemp
Hemp's history dates back to the Neolithic Age, with its earliest uses recorded in ancient China and Taiwan for textiles and pottery. This early adoption underlined its versatility, making it an integral part of early human societies. Its utility expanded in ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean, where it was used for ropes, cloth, and medicinal purposes, and in Greek and Roman maritime activities, highlighting its strength and saltwater resistance.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, hemp's importance grew, especially in naval applications. It was a crucial material for shipbuilding, particularly for sails and rigging, playing a significant role in European economic and naval expansion. This era cemented hemp's position as a valuable resource in various aspects of daily and economic life.
The 20th century, however, saw a decline in hemp cultivation due to the rise of cotton, synthetic fibers, and regulatory restrictions. Recently, there has been a resurgence in its popularity, driven by its environmental sustainability and versatility. Today, hemp is used in a wide range of products, including bioplastics, construction materials, and CBD products, marking a new chapter in its long history.
Let's compare the fabrics
Hemp | Linen | Cotton | Bamboo | Wool | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Strength and durability | One of the strongest fibers in the world. 8 times stronger than cotton. Does not shrink, softens with each wash, becomes like a second skin. One of the strongest fibers in the world. 8 times stronger than cotton. Does not shrink, softens with each wash, becomes like a second skin. | Strong fiber, softens with each wash, but tends to shrink a bit and is not as durable as hemp fiber. Can be compared. Strong fiber, softens with each wash, but tends to shrink a bit and is not as durable as hemp fiber. Can be compared. | 8 times weaker than hemp fiber. | Bamboo viscose is a thin, soft material that tends to shrink. In most cases, it is recommended to wash in an especially gentle way or by hand, because the fabric is very damaged by a higher number of revolutions of the washing drum. Not resistant to high temperatures, ironing or steam ironing only is not recommended. Bamboo viscose is a thin, soft material that tends to shrink. In most cases, it is recommended to wash in an especially gentle way or by hand, because the fabric is very damaged by a higher number of revolutions of the washing drum. Not resistant to high temperatures, ironing or steam ironing only is not recommended. | Quite strong, but with frequent washing, when it gets wet, it loses its strength properties and wears faster and the fabric becomes thinner. It dries easily, it is more difficult to maintain, chemical cleaning is usually indicated on the product, durability is not guaranteed - it shrinks, rots faster, attracts moths, it disappears faster if it gets caught on something. Quite strong, but with frequent washing, when it gets wet, it loses its strength properties and wears faster and the fabric becomes thinner. It dries easily, it is more difficult to maintain, chemical cleaning is usually indicated on the product, durability is not guaranteed - it shrinks, rots faster, attracts moths, it disappears faster if it gets caught on something. | |
Antibacterial properties | Hemp fabric is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. Hemp fiber clothes have antibacterial properties and do not absorb the smell of sweat. Hemp fabric is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. Hemp fiber clothes have antibacterial properties and do not absorb the smell of sweat. | Have | None | Bamboo itself has antibacterial properties, but bamboo viscose loses all its antibacterial properties. Bamboo itself has antibacterial properties, but bamboo viscose loses all its antibacterial properties. | Have | |
Permeability (moisture absorption) | Suitable all year round: warms in winter, cools in summer. Absorbs about 20-30% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates quickly. The fabric is resistant to salt water and UV rays. Perfectly protects against UV rays. Suitable all year round: warms in winter, cools in summer. Absorbs about 20-30% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates quickly. The fabric is resistant to salt water and UV rays. Perfectly protects against UV rays. | Absorbs about 20% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates it quite quickly. The fabric is not resistant to UV rays and does not particularly protect against UV rays. | Absorbs about 10-15% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates quite quickly. Weakly protects against UV rays | It absorbs moisture well, but the evaporation process takes longer, so it is not a suitable material for people who sweat more. Does not protect against UV rays and is not UV resistant. It absorbs moisture well, but the evaporation process takes longer, so it is not a suitable material for people who sweat more. Does not protect against UV rays and is not UV resistant. | Pretty good protection against UV rays. | |
Are chemicals used in the cultivation? | No. Hemp is naturally resistant to pests and weeds. | Pesticides are sometimes used - to improve the harvest and remove pests before they become adults. | In the world, about 10% of agricultural chemicals and 25% of insecticides are used for cotton cultivation. These pesticides are one of the most dangerous, not only that, they then enter the soil, contaminating water bodies as well. In the world, about 10% of agricultural chemicals and 25% of insecticides are used for cotton cultivation. These pesticides are one of the most dangerous, not only that, they then enter the soil, contaminating water bodies as well. | Not used. But the production process of viscose uses a lot of chemicals. | No for animals, but yes for processing wool. | |
Soil | As hemp grows, the soil is enriched and regenerated. Fertilizers are not needed, so the soil is not polluted. Perfect for crop rotation. Protects against soil erosion and also removes heavy metals. As hemp grows, the soil is enriched and regenerated. Fertilizers are not needed, so the soil is not polluted. Perfect for crop rotation. Protects against soil erosion and also removes heavy metals. | The soil is depleted. | Abundantly fertilized soil is needed, various fertilizers are used, as a result the soil is polluted and depleted. | Requires enriched soil but no need to replant, grows from the roots. However, the soil is polluted due to the chemicals used to obtain viscose. Requires enriched soil but no need to replant, grows from the roots. However, the soil is polluted due to the chemicals used to obtain viscose. | The soil is polluted with animal excrement and for the cultivation of fodder for them. | |
Land use | Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax on the same land area. | A hectare of flax produces about 540-630 kg of harvest per year. | Cotton requires twice as much land as hemp | One hectare can produce about 40 tons of bamboo | Depending on the breed of sheep, they can grow about 3.5-7 kg of wool per year | |
How much water is needed for growing? | Hemp needs very little water - rainwater is sufficient. | Rainwater is sufficient, sometimes additional watering is required | Cotton cultivation requires well-drained soil. It is calculated that the production of 1 kg of cotton requires as much as 9600 l of water. | Rainwater is usually enough for bamboo to grow. However, the extraction of bamboo viscose requires more water than the processing of cotton. Rainwater is usually enough for bamboo to grow. However, the extraction of bamboo viscose requires more water than the processing of cotton. | For quenching the thirst of animals, fodder production, farm care. | |
Seasonality | Suitable all year round: warms in winter, cools in summer. Absorbs about 20-30% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates quickly. The fabric is resistant to salt water and UV rays. Perfectly protects against UV rays. Suitable all year round: warms in winter, cools in summer. Absorbs about 20-30% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates quickly. The fabric is resistant to salt water and UV rays. Perfectly protects against UV rays. | Suitable both in summer and winter due to its thermoregulatory properties. Absorbs about 20% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates quite quickly. The fabric is not resistant to UV rays and does not protect against UV rays. Suitable both in summer and winter due to its thermoregulatory properties. Absorbs about 20% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates quite quickly. The fabric is not resistant to UV rays and does not protect against UV rays. | Suitable for the warmer season. It absorbs about 10-15% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates quite quickly. Weakly protects against UV rays Suitable for the warmer season. It absorbs about 10-15% of its total weight of moisture and evaporates quite quickly. Weakly protects against UV rays | Suitable for dry and warmer seasons, in wet and cold conditions - the cooling effect will be too much. It absorbs moisture well, but the evaporation process takes longer, so it is not a suitable material for people who sweat more. Does not protect against UV rays and is not UV resistant. May melt at higher temperatures. Suitable for dry and warmer seasons, in wet and cold conditions - the cooling effect will be too much. It absorbs moisture well, but the evaporation process takes longer, so it is not a suitable material for people who sweat more. Does not protect against UV rays and is not UV resistant. May melt at higher temperatures. | More suitable for winter, protects against UV rays quite well. | |
People / Fauna / Flora | Hemp is very fond of bees, it is like a 3* Michelin restaurant for them - it is not contaminated with any chemicals and does not destroy the bee population. Hemp is very fond of bees, it is like a 3* Michelin restaurant for them - it is not contaminated with any chemicals and does not destroy the bee population. | The use of pesticides does not ensure biodiversity, harms bees and other insects and animals. | Cotton pickers earn a very low income, e.g. In India, about 2 euros a day, and that's not enough, a large part of this work is done by children. Because of this, the entire cotton industry contributes to child exploitation and illiteracy, because children simply do not get an education. Fauna and flora are also greatly affected - due to the fertilizers used and Cotton pickers earn a very low income, e.g. In India, about 2 euros a day, and that's not enough, a large part of this work is done by children. Because of this, the entire cotton industry contributes to child exploitation and illiteracy, because children simply do not get an education. Fauna and flora are also greatly affected - due to the fertilizers used and | The extraction of viscose requires many different chemical processes, and the people who work with it suffer as a result. Most of the work is done without protective equipment, breathing poisonous gas. Later, the chemicals and gases that were used to extract viscose enter water bodies and soils, thus harming the ecosystem, plants, animals and human health. The extraction of viscose requires many different chemical processes, and the people who work with it suffer as a result. Most of the work is done without protective equipment, breathing poisonous gas. Later, the chemicals and gases that were used to extract viscose enter water bodies and soils, thus harming the ecosystem, plants, animals and human health. | Exploitation and torture of animals - wool is sheared carelessly with mechanical machines, in some cases it is simply plucked from live animals, so the skin is often damaged to the point of deep wounds, and sometimes the animal simply dies from the injuries. Animals are beaten because they bathe while being sheared. As a result of pastures, the diversity of plants and animals decreases. For example, in Mongolia, a significant increase in the production of cashmere goats has been observed to devastate the soil with their hooves, causing stunted growth or complete disappearance of plants, further accelerating the decline of wildlife. What's more, sandstorms are more frequent and deserts are increasing every year. Exploitation and torture of animals - wool is sheared carelessly with mechanical machines, in some cases it is simply plucked from live animals, so the skin is often damaged to the point of deep wounds, and sometimes the animal simply dies from the injuries. Animals are beaten because they bathe while being sheared. As a result of pastures, the diversity of plants and animals decreases. |