Redefining Sustainability in Nonwovens
In today’s world, the demand for eco-friendly, high-performance materials is reshaping the nonwovens industry. IND HEMP is proud to lead this transformation with a groundbreaking achievement: the development of the first American-grown, American-made hemp-based spunlace wipe.
Through an innovative approach — from Montana hemp fields to pilot-scale production at North Carolina State University’s Nonwovens Institute — IND HEMP has proven that industrial hemp can deliver premium wipe performance without sacrificing environmental responsibility.
The result is a clean-label, biodegradable wipe made entirely from plant fibers, offering brand owners and manufacturers a sustainable alternative to synthetic and wood-pulp-based substrates. This milestone is not just about a new material — it represents a resilient, regionalized supply chain and a real step forward in carbon reduction.
Spunlace Technology Meets Agricultural Fiber Innovation
Spunlace hydroentanglement — the process behind many premium wipes — uses high-pressure water jets to physically entangle fibers without chemical binders. It produces soft, cloth-like, absorbent fabrics ideal for personal care, baby wipes, and medical use.
This method is inherently compatible with natural fibers like hemp, which, when properly processed, exhibits excellent tensile strength, absorbency, and softness.
IND HEMP’s technical process involved several key stages:
· Montana Cultivation: Hemp grown sustainably using regenerative practices.
· Decortication & Refinement: Bast fiber separation at IND HEMP’s Fort Benton facility, followed by advanced scouring and cleaning in the Southeast U.S.
· Spunlace Fabrication: Pilot trials at NC State blended hemp with cotton and lyocell to produce various wipe prototypes.
· Performance Testing: Independent lab testing confirmed that hemp-blend wipes met or exceeded critical strength and absorbency benchmarks.
Notably, wet tensile strength — a key metric for wipes — often surpassed the 5 lbf industry standard, with prototypes reaching up to 11 lbf, ensuring reliability during use.
Why Hemp-Based Wipes Matter
The innovation extends beyond material performance:
Sustainability at Every Step:
· Hemp cultivation sequesters up to 9 tons of CO₂ per acre.
· Farming practices use significantly less water and pesticides than cotton.
· The final wipes are 100% biodegradable and free of plastics and chemical binders.
Localized, Resilient Supply Chain:
· Grown, processed, and manufactured within the United States, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local economies.
· Offers a pathway for brands to regionalize wipe production amidst global supply chain disruptions.
Brand Differentiation:
· Hemp’s regenerative story resonates with eco-conscious consumers.
· Enables a natural and clean-label narrative ideal for organic personal care, baby wipes, and sustainable home care products.
Proven Compatibility:
· Hemp fiber can be processed on conventional nonwoven equipment without major modifications.
· Fiber blends of up to 80% hemp were successfully trialed, demonstrating robust scalability.
Growing the Future of Nonwovens
IND HEMP’s spunlace project is a proof of concept — not just for hemp-based wipes, but for the broader future of natural fiber integration across hygiene, filtration, and industrial nonwovens.
By aligning performance, sustainability, and supply chain innovation, we are empowering brand partners, converters, and manufacturers to reimagine their material choices.
As demand accelerates for biodegradable, plastic-free wipes and localized manufacturing solutions, IND HEMP is positioned as a strategic partner ready to help brands transition from traditional substrates to next-generation hemp-based solutions.
Read our latest White Paper titled “Spunlace Innovation and Hemp-Based Wipe Development” by clicking here
Let’s grow the future together — sustainably. www.indhemp.com
IG: @indhemp
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