University of Bath - Constructive use of hemp

Hemp could be used to build carbon-neutral homes in the future to help combat climate change and boost the rural economy, say researchers at the University of Bath. A team led by the Centre for Innovative Construction Materials at the university has embarked on a project to develop the use of hemp-lime construction materials in the UK. Hemp-lime is a lightweight composite building material made by binding together fibres from the fast-growing plant using a lime-based adhesive. The hemp plant stores carbon during its growth and this, combined with the low carbon footprint of lime and its very efficient insulating properties, gives the material a "better than zero" carbon footprint.