European Industrial Hemp Association 1° International Conference – Huerth, Oct. 23-24th 2003
Controlled retting of bast fibres on industrial scale : Why hemp ? An italian challenge for textiles
Somebody says that thousands of products can be obtained by hemp, that it is a wonder-crop, environmentally safe, that…….
100% hemp From the seed to final products
There are many different ways to process hemp straw Industrial Fibre mulching Hemp crops Textile industrial districts 1998 - 2003 Building materials Textile Bedding for animals Cellulose for paper Biella composites
Fibre Woody core food (shives) Technical Oil Hemp stems cosmetics (straw)
seed oil flour
Hemp crops Seed for sowing biomasses energy
Agro-industrial system Existing flax and hemp FARMING harvesters fertilization sowing harvesting
PROCESSING
Controlled retting decortication
INDUSTRY
Hackling/carding spinning By- products
Ropes and twines, felts, Weaving, textiles Geotextiles, composites, etc Harvesting key points
•Hemp stalks are mowed and kept parallel • Hemp stalks are cut into two parts, 1.0 mt long •Two rows of half stalks are layed parallel on Testing modified harvesting machines the field •The row is turned to dry and turn pale yellow •The row is round-baled like flax
Turning and round- Once upon a time : scutching baling half cut hemp stalks Modern scutching facilities
US pat. Stewart 1879
Aus. Pat. Mierisch 1999
scutching trials with hemp
Once upon a time: Retting ponds Processing key targets Controlled microbiological •Hemp stalks are scutched “green” retting systems •Long fibre and tow are sent to the retting facility • fibre is retted in a controlled • Enzymatic process microbiological system • Anaerobic inoculation •fibre is washed, dried and softened • Aerobic inoculation •Long and short fibre are delivered to the spinning facility
Processing system
feeding (round bales) Microbiological Decortication retting trials shives (scutching) In Hunghary
Long fibres Wet Dry in bundles tow spinning spinning
Controlled retting system Hackling / carding
Rinsening and softening drying Pr ogra mma regi "Inn onal Dipartimentoovaz delloe di Sviluppo Economico ione Azio Area delle Politiche Regionali Tec dell'Innovazioneni In e della Ricerca nolo nov gica ative in - Tosc PRAI ana”
HEMP IN TUSCANY Hakling /Carding
Testing device Termometer Choosing fibre samples container
Heating device (35°C)
Pump Short fibre Fibra bundles Retting device for bundles END OF RETTING PROCESS: 3 DAYS controlled Prelievo campioni Ph Rx temperature liquido macerazione (35°C)
Pump adjustment
INOCULATION Fibra corta macerata Pump
Mannelle di fibra macerata
1 ton fibre sorghum TUSCANY hemp ramie ginestra retting kenaf flax bacterias Layout of liquor Holding tank the industrial retting system nettle
Warm air blowers heater Fibre crops
drying Scutching facility Rinsening devices softening Retting facility
baler FARMING
scutching scutching
Thanks for your attention For more information : www.gruppofibranova.it www.toscanapa.it industrial retting
Fibres for textiles Fibres for technical use