Hanes Embraces Hemp

Portland based Naturally Advanced Technologies has come up with a natural enzyme based process that makes hemp fiber as soft as cotton.  That would launch hemp fiber into the mainstream as a competitive alternative to cotton as the softness is the only thing keeping this crop from being the biggest and most sustainable way to make fabrics for cheap with less environmental impact.  Hemp can grow in harsher conditions, grows faster, longer, and produces far more (the whole plant can be used rather than just bits of fluff from the pods).  All of this makes hemp a very cheap way to have organic fabrics for the masses.  The only environmentally friendly alternative to mainstream cotton at this time is organic cotton.  Although organic cotton does exist, it is over 60% more expensive than regular cotton and has nearly zero market presence because of that.  If the Crailar hemp technology takes flight, then you can expect to see denim, paper towels, paper, and clothing fabric all to be made out of hemp in the future.  Hanes has already taken notice, so the next time you pick up a pack of tightie whities they might just be made of hemp instead of cotton.