Press release

European Industrial Hemp Association (www.eiha.org)

Hrth, 26 February 2016

Boost for European hemp cultivation through increasing

demand for hemp products
Growing demand for natural fibres from the automotive sector, for hemp seeds
and CBD from the health food sector first ISSC-PLUS sustainability
certification for hemp new board of Directors for the European Industrial
Hemp Association (EIHA) next EIHA conference in June 2016
Hemp cultivation areas in Europe will expand from 8,000 ha in 2011 to almost 25,000 ha in
2016, which shows a triple increase in 5 years. The reason is the growing demand for
different raw materials obtained from this outstanding multi-purpose crop.
Hemp fibres are used in the automotive industry as well as in insulation and speciality paper
production. They are particularly well established as material for natural fibre composites
(NFC) used for the reinforcement of automotive interior parts. Due to their huge potential in
light-weight construction, the demand for NFC has been growing continuously. Whereas
exotic natural fibres from Asia are suffering from limited availability because of the local
competition with food crops and temporary export bans, European hemp fibres can meet
increasing demands if the demand is communicated before the sowing time in March.
Hemp seeds are becoming an important factor in both functional and supplement food
industries. In 2015, hemp food products entered the mainstream market and were produced by
well-known companies. Farmers in more and more European countries are discovering hemp
as an alternative crop for the production of hulled hemp seeds, protein powder and oil with
high nutritional value. Hemp seed is a nutritional powerhouse and is highly digestible. Its oil
has an excellent fatty acid spectrum, it has the almost perfect balance of the omega-3 and -6
essential fatty acids plus the presence of two higher omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, stearidonic
acid (SDA) and gamma linoleic acid (GLA), the share of unsaturated fatty acids is incredible
90%. The protein includes all 21 amino acids providing minerals, Vitamin E and is high in
dietary fibre.
In addition, the hemp crop produces Cannabidiol (CBD), a food supplement with therapeutic
potential, which does not have any psychoactive effects. Many companies are globally
investing in hemp as natural drug; this new natural medicine could reach at least a similar
significance as valerian.
The German company and EIHA member Hanf Farm GmbH is the first hemp producer
worldwide to receive the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC
PLUS) for their hemp raw material Hemp flower and Hemp nuts. More certifications for
different hemp products will follow this year, including those for the fibre.
The European Industrial Hemp Association (www.eiha.org) is the organisation of the
European Hemp Industry. It represents cultivators, processors, producers and traders as well
as scientists. In January 2016, the new president of EIHA was elected by online voting. John

-1-

Hobson, GW Pharmaceuticals (UK), was re-elected President. Mark Reinders, HempFlax

(NL/RO), was elected Deputy President for the first time and Bernd Frank,
PlanetChanvre/Bave (FR/DE), was re-elected Treasurer.
The largest conference on industrial hemp worldwide will take place in Wesseling, near
Cologne (Germany) on the 1st and 2nd of June 2016: 13th International Conference of the
European Industrial Hemp Association. Like last year, more than 250 participants from 40
different countries as well as 30 exhibitors are expected:
www.eiha-conference.org/programme

Responsible under press legislation (V.i.S.d.P.):

Dipl.-Phys. Michael Carus (Managing Director)
European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA)
Executive office: nova-Institut GmbH, Chemiepark Knapsack, Industriestrasse 300, DE50354 Huerth (Germany)
Internet: www.eiha.org
Email: info@eiha.org
Phone: +49 (0) 22 33-48 14 40
The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) is a consortium of the hemp-processing
industry. It represents the common interest of industrial hemp farmers and producers, both
nationally and on a European level. EIHA is the only European consortium in the industrial
hemp sector. This sector includes, amongst other things, the use of hemp fibres, shavings,
seeds and cannabinoids. Originally founded as an association for the European hemp industry,
a quarter of the 130 EIHAs members are based in countries outside the EU.

-2-