Industrial Cannabis sativa (hemp or fibre): Hemp Cellulose Based Bioplastic Production

India has shown increasing interest in bio-plastics due to growing environmental concerns and a focus on sustainability. The Indian government has been taking steps to promote sustainable practices, and initiatives supporting bio-based products, including bio-plastics, have gained attention. Biodegradable plastics are being the substitute for synthetic plastics and widely been used in order to combat plastic pollution. Industrial Cannabis sativa (hemp or fibre), hemp plastic stands out as a viable solution to address the environmental challenges posed by traditional plastics. Hemp bioplastic is derived from the plant’s stems, specifically from the fibers containing 70%-80% cellulose. Because hemp stalk (outside bast fibre and inner hurd) is rich in cellulose fibers, it can be utilized as a raw material for cellulose extraction. Hemp plastics can be a good solution for limiting global pollution. The process of creating hemp plastic involves extracting cellulose from hemp fibers. Cellulose measured at nanoscale is known as nanocellulose. Nanocellulose is a biodegradable and renewable biomaterial, which has great potential to be incorporated into bioplastic packaging materials to enhance their physical and functional properties. Bioplastic preparation includes the hemp based cellulose and mixed with the plastisizers. Hemp cellulose is mixed with plasticizers and plastic additives to enhance the final product properties. The mixture then goes under heat pressure treatment to produce the hemp bioplastic desired. The addition of a natural plasticizer like glycerin to get greater flexibility in finished hemp plastic product. The exact ratios will depend on project and the desired properties of hemp plastic.