What is Hemp Hurd? Everything You Need to Know About the World’s Most Versatile Bio-Material
As global industry begins to shift towards a circular bio-based economy, manufacturers around the world are looking for high-quality, sustainable raw materials that just happen to perform better than their petroleum-derived counterparts. While many seek out these solutions in newly designed plastics and bio-materials, some of the best solutions are already growing in nature… and they’ve been doing it for thousands of years.
Yes, we’re talking about industrial hemp.
Hemp Seed. Hemp Fiber. Everybody knows what those things are. They’re sold in grocery stores across the country. But what about the middle man? The hemp powerhouse hiding between the seeds and fibers? Meet Hemp Hurd.
The farmers behind Dakota Hemp process thousands of acres of hemp each year solely for the purpose of hemp hurd production. While the bast fiber can be used for textiles and seeds can be eaten for their health benefits, we believe that the woody-core of the hemp plant is the most versatile (and under-appreciated!) raw material on the planet.
What is Hemp Hurd? Understanding the Anatomy
To understand what hemp hurd is, we have to take a quick look at the anatomy of the Cannabis sativa L. plant. If you cut a hemp stalk in half, you’ll see dozens of uniquely layered sections. Starting from the outside:
- The Epidermis: The hemp stalk’s thin outer “skin.”
- The Bast Fiber: The long, super strong fibers that spiral around the stalk. Ropes and high-end textiles are made from this stuff.
- The Hurd (or Shives): The “woody” inner core of the stalk. This makes up approximately 70% of the stalk’s total biomass.
Essentially the “skeleton” of the plant, hemp hurd is high in cellulose (35-45%) and lignin (the “woody” stuff). In its raw state, it looks a lot like ground-up bark, but with one key difference: Hemp hurd is naturally porous. Microscopic pores actually run throughout the entire structure of hemp hurd. It is these pores that give hemp its legendary absorbency and insulative qualities.
Why Size Matters: The 1/4″ (2mm-12mm) Specification
At Dakota Hemp, we have found that—when it comes to industrial hemp hurd—SIZE DOES MATTER.
Our Hemp Hurd 1/4 in (2mm-12mm) is by far the most popular product specification we sell. Our little buds have just the right properties for:
- Maximum Surface Area: For binders (like lime) to properly adhere to the hurd, it needs lots of surface area. Our 2mm-12mm sizing gives you exactly that.
- Flowability: If you’re going to run hemp hurd through an industrial blower or mix it in an oversized mixer for large building projects, you need a consistent size that can easily flow like sand.
1. Hemp Hurd for Building Materials: Hempcrete Rocks!
This might be our favorite use for 1/4 inch hurd. For the unfamiliar, Hempcrete is a bio-composite building material that can be used in place of traditional insulation, plaster, drywall, and more.
Builders and contractors are turning to Hempcrete for many reasons:
- Carbon Sequestration: Hemp is one of the fastest-growing plants in North America. It absorbs more CO2 per acre than most trees. When that hemp is locked into a wall as hurd, that carbon is permanently “sequestered.” Hempcrete is one of the only carbon-negative building materials on the market.
- Insulation: Hempcrete provides an amazing amount of thermal resistance (R-value) due to the airy, porous nature of hemp hurd.
- Vapor Permeability: Hempcrete actually “breathes,” regulating humidity and moisture to prevent the “sick building syndrome” common in synthetic homes.
2. Gardening Like a Growlord: The Ultimate Mulch
Got a garden? You should use hemp mulch. Whether you’re running a commercial landscaping business or just trying to keep your tomatoes healthy, hemp mulch saves you water and time.
- Water Retention: Hemp hurd can absorb 4 times its weight in water. When used as mulch, it creates a natural reservoir for your plants.
- Weed Prevention: Hemp mulch is great at preventing weeds from popping up between your flowers.
- Soil Health: Unlike wood mulch which can increase acidity, hemp improves the overall health of your soil as it breaks down.
3. World-Class Industrial Absorbency
Beyond gardening and building materials, hemp hurd is used as a world-class absorbent for everything from cosmetics to oil spills. The tiny pores allow it to literally suck up oil and other liquids through capillary action. We sell loose-grade hemp hurd with sizes suitable for a number of filter and absorbency applications.
The Dakota Hemp Advantage: Super Clean Processing
When it comes to hemp hurd, not all is created equal. Raw hemp stalks must pass through a decortication process before being sold.
The Dakota Hemp facility was built from the ground up to produce the highest-quality hemp hurd in the industry. While many smaller machines tear stalks apart and cause fiber contamination, our process separates the bast fiber from the hurd with surgical precision. This allows our 2mm-12mm hemp hurd to perform best in real-world applications.
Proudly Supporting American Farmers
When you buy from Dakota Hemp, you are supporting American family farms. We source all of our industrial hemp from farms within 100 miles of our South Dakota processing facility. Every purchase you make puts more money back into regenerative hemp agriculture.
FAQs
What is the difference between hemp hurd and hemp shives?
They are the same thing! “Hurd” is the American term, while “Shives” is more common in Europe.
Can I use 1/4″ hemp hurd for animal bedding?
Yes! While our 2mm-12mm hurd is optimized for industrial use, its absorbency makes it perfect for small animals like hamsters, guinea pigs, and birds.
Does hemp hurd break down like wood?
Not quite. In its pure state, it is much lighter and more porous. However, when mixed with lime to make hempcrete, a chemical reaction takes place that “turns it to stone.”
Is hemp hurd fireproof?
No, but it has a higher “flashpoint” than straw or hay. As hempcrete, it’s even more resistant to fire due to the lime coating.
Bulk Orders If you are looking to order 500+ lbs of hemp, please contact us for a custom freight quote, as shipping for big projects is priced by volume.