The hemp building segment is thriving.  Volume is very modest as operators iron out the wrinkles in their respective product category and carry out R&D as they go.  Up and down the nascent value chain there are significant obstacles to navigate.  Until last year, most of the hemp hurd used in the US was being imported from Europe. In 2022, domestic hurd supply increased as decortication facilities in several states came online. 

Hemp-lime (hempcrete) construction methods were approved by the International Code Council (ICC) in September.  Hempcrete practices have been shared widely through conferences and workshops. Enthusiastic stakeholders advocate for a paradigm shift in residential building practices, pivoting away from airtight plastic…