HEMP FABRIC - Is that a thing?

A fabric made out of the stalks of the Hemp Sativa plant, is a plant-based natural textile material. The plant for a millennia, as so recognised as the one with extraordinary tensile and durability is becoming a favorite again. The rarity is vanishing with more people gaining knowledge about it and the increased availability as well. Earlier farmers were restricted from growing this, which is one of the main reasons which not just created exaggerated taboos around the plant but also made it critical for people to accept and learn about.

For over thousands of years, The Hemp sativa plant has been into practice of breeding for its very distinctive uses. The plant’s stalk is made of two layers. The inner layer consists of a woody pith whereas the outer layer is made from a rope like bast fiber. For textile purposes, only the outer layer is used of the Hemp Sativa’s stalk. Although stalk is one part of the plant, there are individual benefits of compliments. The inner layer is certainly used for materials like animal bedding, fuel and building materials to name a few.

Once the outer bast fiber layer of the plant is stripped, it can be further processed for use to make it into a yarn or rope. The yarn or rope that is produced is very strong when compared to other alternatives available to one in the market. The rope made from hemp, the hemp rope is so strong and promising that earlier, it was the one and only premium choice for sails and rigging on maritime vessels. It still remains a renowned and acceptable material of excellent quality for clothing as well. It has provingly surpassed the synthetics and cotton textile fabrics available at a cost to not just us but the environment too. It has failed the counteractives at several tests and metrics.

Once the fabric is ready, the fabric has a similar texture and feel to one of cotton. It is breathable and skin friendly, it is strong and durable like canvas. Unlike cotton, it is not shrinkable and even pilling resistant. While being strong, hemp fabric is superiorly sturdy and durable.

Additionally, hemp is also a lightweight fabric which makes it breathable and effectively promotes passage for moisture from skin to atmosphere making it perfect for hot and humid climate. It is also easily dyeable. The fabric naturally, is mold resistant, mildew and other potential microbes that are harmful. Hemp fabric has another quality, it becomes more and more softer with each wash and doesn't even degrade.

It is an extremely sustainable fabric in complete dynamics from farm to produce which makes it ideal for clothing and all other things that it can produce.

The production being environmentally sustainable as is evidenced by the history, facts and studies of records. In the past, several civilizations have produced and used hemp fabric without incurring any major ecological calamities. However, it has been reported as per recent studies that to produce hemp on larger scale it is not promised that that the practices still remain 100% sustainable or ecologically sound.

In 1998, according to a study by researchers on the subject of hemp fabric's environmental sustainability found that hemp cultivation requires lesser land than cotton cultivation, releases lesser toxic substances into the soil and related ecosystem. Hemp is one of raw materials that are carbon negative in nature which signifies that it absorbs more carbon than it actually produces. Furthermore, no to least amount of pesticides or herbicides are required.

Over-all, it is always less to discuss and open upon the benefits this plant reaps. Everyday we have new discoveries and inventions of it and they are always surprising and intriguing. Similar to this, Ananta has three range of products which include nutrition, personal care and wellness. The team here is passionately working towards building and growing the same with expanding the product range and its reach to more people.