Indian connection for hemp fibre ecosystem
Panda Biotech, which operates a very large hemp decortication and processing facility in Texas, has announced a partnership with Culturewell Trading and its subsidiary Culturewell Hemp to offer Indian manufacturers access to degummed fibres and yarns made from hemp.
This new supply chain will offer cottonised hemp that is processed using entirely mechanical methods, without scouring or bleaching. Panda Biotech says these fibres can be blended with cotton or other cellulosic fibres and spun into coarse count yarns (6s to 30s). The Degummed Fibre, which is scoured and either bleached or semi-bleached, can be made into medium and fine count yarns (ex. 20s and 30s, ring spun) in blends with cotton, viscose, lyocell and such. Culturewell has produced these types of yarns in blends starting from 20% hemp.
The two partners see promise for the new hemp fibre infrastructure as US-grown hemp processed in India may qualify for duty benefits when exported to the US market. Panda Biotech also insists that its technology delivers a traceable, high-performance fibre at commercial scale.
