CANNAMATTER Operational Group: Hemp as a new model of sustainable material for technical and industrial use

A validated agronomic protocol has been developed to maximize the profitability of industrial hemp. By optimizing plant density (plants/ha) and monitoring stem diameter, farmers can significantly increase their biomass yield and fiber percentage. The main results focus on obtaining virgin fiber and high-quality hemp (hurds) through improved harvesting and retting techniques. Furthermore, the project demonstrates how primary processing can produce premium cotton fiber, opening doors to high-value textile and footwear markets. For professionals, farmers can diversify their production by creating bio-based products.

A validated agronomic protocol for industrial hemp, focused on maximizing fiber yield and ensuring fair income for farmers. By optimizing planting density and monitoring stem diameter, farmers can improve biomass percentages and the quality of harvested and retted material. The main practical recommendation is the implementation of these specific cultivation practices, which have been compared across different growing cycles to account for seasonal and climatic impacts. For professionals, this knowledge offers a direct path to higher-value products and optimized industrial yields.

The main results focus on obtaining primary processing products, such as virgin fiber, sugarcane hulls, and byproducts, as well as high-quality cotton fiber from secondary processing. The practical recommendation for end users is to implement these production techniques, which take into account seasonal and climatic variables in the different growing cycles. By following the technical data sheets developed for each material, professionals can maximize the market value of hemp-derived products and effectively identify national and international opportunities.

High-quality virgin fiber. Refinement of the transformation process to maximize the yield of high-value-added products (higher fiber percentage and premium-quality cotton fiber). A comparative analysis of the results obtained during the different transformation phases will be carried out. For professionals, this approach offers the added value of maximizing high-value products, such as higher-quality fiber percentages for the textile market. Leveraging these results allows farmers to meet specific industrial requirements, ensuring that the knowledge generated translates into greater productivity and increased economic stability.

The main results of this activity focus on the industrial refining of hemp to obtain high value-added products, specifically bast fibers and high-quality transformation fibers. Key technical achievements include the initial development and validation of specific parameters for yarns and nonwoven fabrics. These bio-based materials are designed for direct application in the textile, agricultural, and footwear industries. The main practical recommendation for professionals is to implement these validated transformation parameters to ensure high industrial performance and market competitiveness. Professionals can leverage these results by following the established technical specifications for yarns and nonwoven fabrics to develop sustainable products. This transition to bio-based hemp materials offers a business advantage by aligning production with the growing global demand for sustainable industrial components.

The main results of this activity include the successful development and manufacture of at least three functional bio-based prototypes: a sole, a woven upper, and a complete shoe assembly. End users can leverage these results by following the established technical specifications to integrate hemp-derived yarns and nonwoven fabrics into their production lines. This transition to bio-based materials offers a clear business advantage by aligning footwear and textile manufacturing with the growing global demand for environmentally friendly industrial solutions.

Use cases and characteristics of hemp for its application in functional yarns and fibers. The main results of this activity include the identification of national and international markets for hemp functional yarns and fibers. The project will characterize textile applications and use cases, focusing on the technical properties of hemp that enable the production of high-quality yarn. Key results highlight the valorization of hemp-derived materials through the development of specific parameters for bio-based materials in various sectors.

RD1: Dissemination Plan. Effective Internal Communication Act 1 RD1. Dissemination Plan Design. A dissemination plan will be designed and developed that includes different tools for disseminating project information and defines the communication strategy according to the target audience. Responsibilities, communication guidelines, corporate identity, design of dissemination materials (brochures, roll-up banners, posters, templates, etc.), as well as the online dissemination strategy on the EU-FarmBook platform and on the participants' websites and social media, will be defined. Act 2 RD1. Internal Communication. Effective internal communication will be fostered through various digital tools. Furthermore, regular coordination meetings will be held among group members to determine progress, deviations, and risk analysis, in order to establish contingency plans if necessary. These activities are aimed at project partners to ensure consistent external and internal communication guidelines. It has national scope, specifically covering the partner communities of Extremadura, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community.

RD2: Dissemination and technology transfer through participation in events and the organization of project-specific workshops. Act1.RD2. Participation in industry workshops and events: Dissemination will take place at various industry events. Act2.RD2. Organization of dedicated workshops: Workshop for young people, workshop on textiles and footwear, field demonstration workshop, final results presentation workshop. Act3.RD2. Cooperation with other Operational Groups. Annual Networking Day. The target audience will be professionals in the agri-food, textile, and construction sectors at the international and national levels, the general public, textile companies, companies in the biomaterials and bioeconomy sectors that wish to apply their products to footwear components, stakeholders throughout the industrial hemp value chain, government agencies, the sector in general, and women in rural areas, as well as other Operational Groups. Local, regional, national, and international reach. Dissemination will be carried out through electronic newsletters, press releases, the EU-FarmBook platform, and the websites and social media of the participants. We will participate in both in-person and online events, and we will use different promotional materials.

RD3: Project Dissemination through Virtual Activities Act1 RD3. Dissemination via the Web and the EU-FarmBook platform. Dissemination of content on EU-FarmBook related to the project's objectives, participants, and expected results Act2 RD3. Dissemination through participants' websites and social media. Publication of content through participants' websites and social media Act3 RD3. Electronic newsletters. At least three newsletters will be sent with relevant project information, including announcements of project events. CTAEX will prepare these, and they will be distributed by all partners, achieving greater reach Act4 RD3. Audiovisual material. A corporate video of the project will be produced. The target audience will be sectors related to the project participants and the general public, as it will be disseminated through social media and the participants' websites, and electronic newsletters will be distributed by all partners, achieving a wide reach: the agri-food sector in general, the industrial hemp sector, the textile and clothing sector, the construction sector, public administrations, agri-food cooperatives, textile, agricultural, and construction companies, consumers, and society in general. The reach will be local, provincial, regional, national, and international.

RD4: Publications Act1. RD4. Media Relations. Issuance of press releases for dissemination in the media. Act2. RD4. Technical and Scientific Publications: publication in scientific journals / conference proceedings. Act3. RD4. Final Publication. Final document including the results obtained from the project. The target audience for these activities includes professionals in the sector, the scientific community, society, and the general public. The scope will be local, regional, national, and international. The media used will be press, TV, radio, technical and/or scientific journals, and conference proceedings. Dissemination of publications will be promoted through the web and social media. All publications may be digital, in the case of online media and digital journals, or physical, in the case of conventional media such as print journals or proceedings of scientific and technical symposia.