UK Hemp and Flax Product Trials
Fibre Crops: A Sustainable Solution for Carbon Sequestration
Fibre crops such as industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa, low-THC varieties only) and flax (Linum usitatissimum) offer significant potential for carbon sequestration and sustainable material production. These versatile crops have applications across multiple sectors, including construction, textiles, automotive manufacturing, and bioenergy.
As part of the CHCx3 research initiative, Unyte Hemp is leading a targeted effort to assess and optimise the use of these annual fibre crops. Our goal is to generate the robust data required to validate the environmental and economic viability of hemp and flax, supporting their wider adoption within the UK’s agricultural framework and promoting carbon-smart farming.
Assessing Carbon Capture and Soil Benefits
In collaboration with project partners Elsoms Seeds, NIAB, FC Palmer & Sons, and the University of York, Unyte Hemp is conducting trials across the UK to explore the potential of hemp and flax. These trials are designed to identify the most effective genotypes and management strategies for maximising carbon capture, alongside enhancing fibre and shiv production for various applications.
Two key research questions underpin this work:
What are the optimal conditions for carbon capture in hemp and flax?
How can we accurately measure their impact on soil health and long-term carbon sequestration?
Elsoms’ field trial sites span a diverse range of climates, soil types, and depths, as well as environmental factors such as shelter, moisture levels, and previous land use. The light blue dots on the CHCx3 project map indicate the locations of the annual fibre crop trials. This approach enables us to assess how these variables influence both above-ground carbon storage in biomass and below-ground carbon retention in soil.
Additionally, we are investigating innovative retting techniques to improve processing efficiency and expand our understanding of the different factors involved. We are also exploring tillage regimes that could enhance the carbon-sequestering benefits of hemp and flax, particularly in marginal land areas where soil health and organic matter content need improvement.
Scaling Up for the Future of Carbon Farming
The outcomes of these field trials will contribute to a series of grower guides and best practice documents tailored to UK conditions. By equipping farmers with accessible data on hemp and flax varieties, carbon capture potential, and economic opportunities, we aim to support the expansion of fibre crops as a viable option for climate-smart agriculture.
Furthermore, verified carbon capture data will underpin Unyte Hemp’s efforts to develop carbon credits, enabling farmers to monetise their environmental stewardship through emerging carbon markets.
Strengthening Supply Chains for Sustainable Materials
As hemp and flax cultivation grows, so too does the need for efficient processing and supply chains capable of meeting market demand for sustainable biomaterials. Unyte Hemp, alongside partners such as UK Hempcrete and Natural Building Systems, is working to establish scalable and efficient processing models. This includes evaluating mobile pre-processing units, which can reduce logistical costs and support the decentralised production of hemp-based materials such as shiv and fibre.
The aim is to empower UK farmers to integrate hemp and flax into their crop rotations, offering a diversified income stream while supplying low-carbon alternatives to industries such as construction, textiles, and renewable energy.
Unlocking the Full Potential of Fibre Crops
The future of fibre crops depends on our ability to quantify, validate, and communicate their environmental benefits. Through the CHCx3 initiative, Unyte Hemp is committed to transforming UK agriculture, embedding sustainable practices, and unlocking the full carbon-sequestering potential of hemp and flax.
