In harmony with nature

HemPoland has been created out of our passion for hemp. Cannabis sativa L. is one of the most versatile plants grown in Poland. Its seeds, stems, leaves and racemes are a source of agricultural raw materials used in the food, cosmetic, textile, automotive and construction industries. It is also our natural ally in efforts for clean air and environment.

In 2014 HemPoland became the first company in Poland to obtain a license to grow cannabis sativa. In the same year we also started its extraction. Our production plant is located in Żuławy Wiślane, the historical centre of the European hemp industry, where we continue the tradition of processing this unique plant in harmony with nature, both for people and for the Earth.

#eco

Hemp is good for the Earth. The European Green Deal, a new economic development strategy of European Union, is intended to lead our continent to achieve “climate neutrality” by 2050. Its key objectives are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by industry, transport and agriculture and to improve European biodiversity. Cannabis sativa is a perfect fit for this strategy. Its cultivation and processing generates a negative CO₂ balance – the plants absorb more carbon dioxide from the air than is produced while manufacturing them into finished goods. Moreover, with its ability to bind heavy metals in the soil, hemp helps to restore the soil to its healthy state. For this reason, the plant is ideal as a catch crop, a crop grown between main crops that improves the biological activity and fertility of the soil. Unlike many other popular crops, hemp is very disease resistant and does not need any pesticide support; it suppresses weeds and deters pests on its own. It also requires less irrigation than other fibre crops.

In the automotive industry, hemp fibres are used to make clutch components and brake discs. In the construction industry, it is used as a component of fibreboard, glass fibre and eco-concrete. Hemp fibre clothing isn’t only found at weekend organic fairs. Levi’s describes hemp fibre as an ecological alternative to cotton and uses it to manufacture its “Sustainable” clothing lines. Nike and Adidas offer popular models of hemp fibre coated boots. Patagonia, an iconic outdoor clothing producer, not only uses hemp to produce clothes, but is also actively involved in the development of organic hemp farming in the United States. Hemp fibre is gaining recognition as a greener alternative to cotton and synthetic fabrics nowadays, when the climate change impact of the production of our goods is becoming a factor of choice for an increasing number of consumers.

#hemprevolution

Today, cannabis sativa is our ally in the fight for the future of our planet. We believe that the collective efforts of the hemp industry can revolutionise the hemp market in Poland and Europe to the benefit of the natural environment. As an active member of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), HemPoland supports the development of the entire hemp industry. Our collective efforts in this field are summarised in The Hemp Manifesto published by EIHA in April 2020, which identifies hemp as one of the most ecological plants in the world, the future of agriculture and industry, and an element of a healthy diet. We are proud to be at the forefront of the hemp revolution.

Cannabidiol (CBD), which is extracted from hemp, also possesses cosmetic qualities. CosIng, the European database of cosmetic ingredients, lists antioxidant and protective effects that improve the skin condition and inhibit sebum secretion. Preliminary studies indicate that CBD may also show antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-seborrheic activity and has strong antioxidant properties. Having this in mind, it is not surprising that the number of CBD cosmetics products is increasing by more than 30% with every consecutive year.

Hemp as an alternative food source

100 grams of cannabis sativa seeds contains more protein than 100 grams of low-fat cottage cheese or chicken breast. With more and more people giving up or reducing meat consumption due to the negative impact of animal husbandry on the climate, this is one of the healthy alternatives to animal protein. Cannabis sativa seeds contain up to 40 grams of protein per 100 grams. It is a complete protein source. It contains all 9 exogenous amino acids that are not produced by the human body and need to be supplied with food. In addition, hemp protein is very well absorbed. Its biological value (BV) of 74 is only slightly lower than the BV of animal protein (BV=79) or milk protein (BV=77). Hemp seeds and its products, such as hemp oil or hemp flour, are also a source of other valuable nutrients like essential unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and antioxidants, and can satisfy many nutritional needs. Because of that, many stores offer hemp products next to other “Superfoods” (i.e. foods with exceptional nutritional qualities) like goji berries, acai, curcuma, spirulina or raw cocoa seeds.

We examined the plants just after they germinated, when their first leaves emerged from the soil, throughout different phases of growth and just before their harvesting. The plants were also tested during various stages of drying and processing. We analysed many different cannabis sativa varieties for their cannabinoid, flavonoid and terpene content in order to identify their cannabinoid and terpene profile. Then, we were working for years to perfect natural extraction methods, allowing us to obtain the most valuable elements of hemp. For this purpose, we built our own laboratories and constructed special equipment for hemp extraction, unique on the scale of the country and whole Europe. The resultant cannabis sativa extracts are used as an ingredient of natural dietary supplements, including our flagship CannabiGold oils.