Many Hemp Bulletin readers will identify decortication as the major obstacle slowing the formation of hemp fiber markets and the associated supply chains.  Decortication capacity is by no means scaled in the US, but a growing number of small decortication enterprises exist around the country, with more to emerge later this year. There are more problems to be solved to economically produce and decorticate fiber, but there is a solid roadmap in place for non-hammermill decortication technology. Hemp fiber prices – for raw, baled stalk –  remain consistent, though little is changing hands at this point.  

There are gaping holes between raw fiber and finished textiles, but operators are beginning to populate key positions in the value chain.  North Carolina and the Southeast have emerged as hotbeds for a hemp textiles renaissance.  Among these operators is the appropriately…