Last Week’s Hemp Commentary

Hemp as Carbon Black Alternative Feedstock

Carbon black is a commonly used ingredient in industrial manufacturing.  Most of it, over 70%, is used in tire manufacturing.  Automotive belts and other rubber products make up and estimated 15-20% of carbon black usage, and the balance of annual consumption is attributed to printer toner, plastics additives, and paint. 

Carbon black is historically produced by managed, incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products. Carbon black materials can range from a food grade colorant to industrial inputs that are carcinogenic.  

Decarbonization will require industry to pivot to low carbon inputs.  Hemp is capable of supplanting fossil fuel derived carbon black, and…