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Maybe you've heard the term bandied about but are still unclear as to, "What is hemp biomass?" We gotcha.
Hemp biomass is a byproduct of the hemp industry. Far from being garbage, though, it can actually be a very valuable and versatile resource.
Keep reading to learn more!
The generic meaning of biomass is “renewable, plant-based material.” You’ll often see words like biological, organic, and organisms thrown into variations on this basic theme.
Hemp biomass is a term usually referring to the non-flower parts of the hemp plant. Alternately, it's also often defined as the excess biological material left behind after flowers and certain other plant materials are cultivated. So, biomass may include plant parts such as leaves, stalks, petals, or seeds.
So, biomass can be:
This may seem a tad confusing or contradictory. Our suggestion? Take cues from context. Sometimes it'll be obvious that you should think of biomass as the secondary stuff from the plant, the bits that aren't the main reason that particular crop was grown but are still worth their weight in gold. (One man's trash is another man's treasure, right?) Other times, it'll be evident that biomass is being used more broadly.
Different types of hemp will yield different kinds of biomass. For example, some strains produce biomass that's more fibrous while others offer biomass that's more oil-y/seed-y.(https://www.gaiaca.com/what-to-do-with-hemp-biomass)
CBD oil is typically derived from the CBD-rich flowers, leaves, and/or stalks of the hemp plant, aka the oilseed varieties of hemp. These parts of the plant — the inputs for cannabidiol extraction — are frequently called "biomass" by CBD oil producers. Meanwhile, in other instances, CBD oil manufacturers may call the seeds, processed pulp, etc. "biomass" — in the sense of it being residual post-production material.
Biomass is generally regarded as waste by hemp cultivators and CBD producers, but it's far from useless. Sure, all the unused plant parts could be used for compost — but they actually have significant use elsewhere! Which brings us to....
Yah, if it's not the celebrated flower et al and it's not junk, what's it good for?
Quite a lot, really. Hemp biomass is used for a variety of purposes, including:
Remember a moment ago we mentioned the different kinds of biomass that come from various types of hemp? A quick — possibly easy-to-deduce — add-on to that bit of info. Fiber-rich biomass tends to be leveraged for making textiles, clothing, and so forth. Oilseed biomass is the sweetheart of the medicinal, supplements, and personal care items industries. Fuel can be created from both ilks of biomass.(1)
Truly, hemp is a freakin' amazing plant! Like, what can't it do?! What areas of life and commerce isn't it finding its way into? If you want to earn kudos and bulk up the biomass known as your brain — check out A Look At Hemp & CBD Use Throughout History and Hemp — It’s In There! [Hemp Uses & Products] next.
Ultimately, biomass can be used for additional streams of income for hemp growers and processors. Hemp biomass has the potential of being an extremely profitable commodity for cultivators and producers who know how to make use of it.
Hemp biomass is a win on multiple levels. It's a highly renewable and sustainable resource that — as we've just established — has about a gazillion uses.
Moreover, stuff made from hemp biomass is eco-friendly. You're getting something from what would otherwise be tossed into the trash bin. If "reduce, reuse, recycle" is a mantra you live and breathe, hemp biomass is surely your oyster and pearl.
Plus, biomass-turned-hemp-fuel is possibly even more environmentally conscientious because it's an energy source that could actually help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To make all these uses and benefits come to fruition, though, takes some attention and care. It's important to harvest hemp plants and process them correctly to ensure that the biomass remains viable.
The exact process depends on the kind of hemp and the downstream intention for the biomass. But basically, it goes something like this:
So where's CBD factor into this? Good question.
Ideally, CBD product makers are involved from seed to sale. (Pure Craft sure is!) To make quality CBD oil goods, the manufacturer needs to know the deets of their ingredients, before and after the hemp harvesting.
But, CBD producers really swoop in big at Step 4 when they buy hemp biomass. From here, they can extract hemp and CBD oils from the biomass. And this is how your fave CBD brands transform their biomass booty into the cannabis-based products you adore.
In our post, CBD Supply Chain – How It All Works, we discuss the CBD supply chain. This is a good place to turn for a more holistic, end-to-end view of the players, stages, and landscape of making CBD products. Ooh, and What Is CO2 Extraction & Why's It A Good Thing For My CBD? is an excellent follow-on if you want to understand the CBD oil extraction process.
The phrase hemp biomass is used in two ways. (Context is your friend.) It can be:
Often, the non-flowering parts of the hemp plant — such as petals and seeds — are deemed biomass. Buuuut, CBD oil is usually made from hemp flowers and leaves and stalks — so one could hardly call these non-flower bits "extra" or "waste."
Regardless of which meaning of hemp biomass is in play, one thing's for sure. Hemp biomass is a huge asset. It's the inputs that become incredible hemp and CBD oil products. And it's also put to use in countless other ways — from creating hemp energy sources like hemp diesel fuel to textiles like hemp cloth.
Hopefully, you now have a newfound understanding of and appreciation for hemp biomass!
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