Hemp-based additives start-up wins BASF backing
Chemovator, a business incubator and early-stage investment platform that chemicals group BASF set up in 2018, has added Detroit-based natural fibres specialist Heartland to its portfolio.
Heartland works with local farmers to develop plastic additives from natural fibres, including hemp. Hemp-based additives that Heartland has produced is already being used as an additive to plastic compounds.
The Detroit-based company has said the use of hemp-based additives improves properties such as flammability, bonding, dispersion, and bulk density.
It has claimed that using natural fibres in this way is now a viable market opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in numerous industries. Chief executive, Jesse Henry, has commented: “By working with global brands and their suppliers, Heartland is able to reduce the carbon footprint of plastics on an industrial scale.”
