Hemp cultivation – a viable agricultural activity that meets the environmental principles. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is environmentally friendly and helpful; it is especially suitable for use in crop rotation, not exhausting the soil, reducing its pollution by weeds. Lithuania legalized hemp cultivation in 2014. The experience in hemp growing and processing is rather poor. Hemp cultivation and processing in Lithuania is very relevant in growing processing sections, such as: textile, paper, and others. There is a possibility of hemp appliance in production of textile, furniture, and building construction products taking into account its eco-friendliness, harmony and increasing production in Lithuania.
The effective manufacturing, including cultivation and processing, is required for the successful development of the sector. Hemp wood, according to the characteristics of incandescent, comparable to oak wood. The bio-based industry can make use of crops grown for material substitution (e.g. hemp for insulation instead of glass fibre, straw for furniture production, car door panels made from hemp or flax plants, bio-plastic) or for energy (e.g. using biomass instead of fossil fuels).
Hemp demand will increase, due to an increased use of renewable and biodegradable nature resources in processed products. The possibility of using cannabis in Lithuania is visible in the construction and furniture production and for the manufacturing of other products.
Keywords: hemp, wood, products, bio composites
Authors
Jonaitienė V.
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, Kaunas University of technology, Kaunas, Lithuania
Norvydas V.
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, Kaunas University of technology, Kaunas, Lithuania
Stuogė I.
Department of Ecology, Institute of Animal Sciences, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Baisiogala, Lithuania
Jankauskienė S.
Upytė Experimental Station, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Lithuania
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