From: Institute for Hemp <[i--o--p] at [delphi.com]>
Organization: Delphi ([i--o] at [delphi.com] email, 800-695-4005 voice)
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An Institute for Hemp
SPECIAL REPORT #B
A Report on The Use of Cannabis Hemp as a Source
of Raw Materials in the Production of Paper:
American Grown Hemp Can Supply our Paper Needs.
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CONTENTS:
Purpose or Intent of this report
The History of Paper-making
The Production of Hemp
Composition of Hemp Hurds
Summary
The Manufacture of Paper from Hemp
Purpose of Original Study
Factors Justifying an Investigation
Character of Material
Operations Involved
Description of Test
Comparison of Test with Practice
Physical Properties of the Paper
Conclusions
Conclusions from the Report
References & Resources
PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT
The intent or purpose of this report is to evaluate the current
potential of using hemp as a source of raw materials for the production of
paper.
In the preparation of this report it was evident that sections on the
history of paper making, and the production of hemp be included, and as
such the three reports are presented together.
John Birrenbach
Founder
The Institute for Hemp
HISTORY OF PAPER MAKING
Since it is not the intent of this report to give a detailed history
of paper making, I provide this short synopsis, with notes as to the use
of hemp, of the paper making processes history.
Since the earliest time man has used things upon which to record his
ideas. From drawing in caves to the use of tree bark and now paper, man
has sought to record his ideas so that they may be preserved.
The first, generally regarded, preparation of paper from plant fibers
is about 500 BC 1.
The use of hemp fibers is noted in 105 A. D. in an announcement by
Ts'ai Lun to the Emperor of China. 2
During the next 1,700 years many different materials were used to
make paper. With the advancement of modern textile manufacture the use of
scraps, mainly cloth and fiber textiles, for the production of paper
became the norm.
In the early 19th century the need for a sustainable source of raw
materials to make paper was necessary. Until the 19th Century the paper
used was in limited supply, the paper was only manufactured in areas were
textile mills were present. 3
In 1863 the first claim of making paper from wood is made by Augustus
Stanwood and William Tower in Gardiner Maine. With the invention of the
wood pulp process the decline and the eventual end of recycled rag paper
was certain. 4
By the mid 20th Century the use of tree paper had become the norm,
and the use of other materials in paper production is labeled as specialty
papers. It is also clear by the early 1900's that the use of trees for
paper production is only a transitional material at best as tree
production can not be sustained. 5
In the early 1980's environmental groups bring pressure on the U. S.
Government and companies producing paper from trees to stop the practice.
At the same time the use of recycled paper, and the search for an
alternative source of raw materials capable of supplying the U. S. with
its paper needs continues.
CONCLUSION:
The use of trees in the production of paper is only a recent
development. 6 The pressure from environmentalists and the public against
the use of trees to make paper is not likely to be reduced, but rather
increased.
The use of recycled paper can not supply the United States with its
paper requirements.
The need to find an alternative crop that can safely produce paper is
imperative.
PRODUCTION OF HEMP
As it is necessary to discuss the production of hemp as it relates to
the production of hemp hurds, the raw material sought for the purpose of
this report, I include a short synopsis on the production of hemp and its
processing into the basic raw materials the plant produces. This synopsis
is necessarily short as the purpose of this report is to discuss the use
of hemp hurds as a paper-making material, not the cultivation and
processing of hemp. For more information on the cultivation and processing
of hemp it is suggested that you obtain copies of The Institute for Hemp
Reports #A, C, & D for detailed information on The Laws, Cultivation
Techniques, and Processing Techniques respectively.
To understand the production of hemp it is necessary to understand
the plant itself.
The plant Cannabis Sativa L., is composed of a main stalk that can
grow to a height of over 18 feet, a root structure that can reach a depth
of over 2 feet. Extending from the main stalk are leaves and branches, on
the branches grow leaves and flowers. The plant is naturally dioecious
(7), but in some varieties there is a monecious or dual sexing is present.
8
The stalk of the plant Cannabis L. is composed of a woody inner core
surrounded by an outer bark composed of fiber. The outer bark contains the
fiber commonly separated and used in the production of rope, cloth and
other fiber products. The woody inner core contains a small percentage of
short fibers. 9
During the decortication, or fiber separation, process the inner core
is broken into small pieces, these small pieces are called Hemp Hurds.
These hurds correspond to shives in flax. 10
Hemp is commonly grown in a variety of manners depending on the end
use of the hemp. If hemp is grown for seed it is commonly grown in rows
approx. 1-2 feet apart, similar to corn, this allows for branching and
maximum seed production. If hemp is grown for fiber it is generally grown
in rows as close together as 2-3 inches. 11 The hurds from hemp grown for
any reason may be used as a raw material for the production of paper. 12
Ideally hemp cultivated for paper would be grown in a manner
consistent with that of fiber production. By cultivating hemp in this
manner the largest volume of hemp hurds would be collected. Additionally
by cultivating hemp in this manner the fiber would then be available for
sale to textile manufactures.
During the previous 5,000 years Hemp Hurds, with the exception of
some relatively obscure uses, were basically a useless and uncollectible
material that was commonly left in fields or burned for fuel. 13 In this
report Hemp Hurds are considered to be of value for the production of
paper.
THE COMPOSITION OF HEMP HURDS
The inner surface of the hurds usually bears a layer of pith,
consisting of thin walled cells nearly spherical or angular, but not
elongated. They are probably of little value for paper, but they
constitute less than 1 per cent of the weight of the hurds. The principle
weight and bulk consist of slender elongated woody cells. The outer
surface is covered with fine secondary fibers composed of slender
elongated cells, tougher than those of the wood but finer and shorter than
those of the hemp fiber for commerce. 14
RETTING
Nearly all the hemp previously cultivated in the United States was
dew retted. This would no longer be the case. In almost every instance of
modern commercial hemp cultivation retting is now conducted in ponds.
Hurds from water-retted hemp are cleaner and softer than those from dew
retted hemp, (15) and are therefore, more highly sought by the textile
industries. Additionally water-retted hemp hurds should also be of a more
uniform nature and more highly sought by the paper maker. It can be
assumed that a retting process designed for maximum paper production could
be invented.
YIELDS
Yields of hemp production world wide range from a low of 5 tons to a
high of 10 tons of hemp stalk per acre. Percentages of fiber vary from 12-
30%. This leaves approx. 70-87% Hurds remaining as a source of raw
materials in the production of paper. 16
Yields of Hemp hurds are between 7,000 - 17,400 lbs per acre. 17 This
becomes a sizable amount of materials that could be used in the production
of paper.
These yields have increased from less than 2.5 tons of hurds per acre
when the original study was conducted by the U. S. Department of
Agriculture. 18
SUMMARY
Many of the problems associated with the processing of hemp that were
outlined in the U. S. Department of Agriculture Bulletin #404 have been
overcome with the advance of technology. 19
The major drawback to using hemp hurds as a source of raw materials
was the collection process. During the period before the original report
was prepared, there was little use of mechanical decorticators. 20 This
made collection of the hemp hurds nearly impossible. This is no longer a
problem since the invention of many specialized machines that can process
tons of hemp per day. 21 These facilities could be located centrally for
the ease of collection of the raw materials produced.
Presently there is very little use for hemp hurds. With exception to
the production of particle board or methanol fuels and farm bedding there
is no use for hemp hurds other than paper production.
Currently there is no supply of hemp hurds in the United States. To
supply all the raw material necessary to provide paper, the United States
would need to cultivate some 10-12 million acres of hemp. This would
produce the necessary 54. million metric tons of raw material necessary to
produce virgin paper each year. 22 Considering that the United States has
some 1 Billion acres of Farm Land, this is approx. 1% of the available
Farm Land to provide all the paper produced, in the United States, from
trees on an annual basis. 23
Shipment of hemp hurds could be facilitated by the construction of
paper mills near the decortication mills. The Decortication mills in turn
could be located close to the fields where hemp is cultivated. The proper
installation of hemp cultivation in selected areas could facilitate the
shipment of raw materials to the processing facilities.
Cultivars of hemp with little, 0.01% Tetra-Hyrodocannibinol, or no
psychoactive substances have been engineered. 24 This alone should be
incentive enough to begin cultivation of hemp on a commercial scale.
If the proper laws were introduced so that farmers, like those in
France, Italy and Spain, could cultivate low potency varieties of hemp
many farmers would take advantage of cultivating hemp. 25
Currently the major Cannabis crop still grown in the United States is
commonly called Sinsemilla Marijuana, or seedless marijuana. This material
is highly prized on the illicit drug market because of its seedless nature
and high potency. With the introduction of large scale commercial cannabis
cultivation the pollen produced by these non-psychoactive plants would
pollinate the illicit marijuana, thus producing seed and reducing its
value on the illicit drug market. The seed, collected by the illicit
grower, would produce a lower potency marijuana than that of the previous
generation from which it was collected. This would in effect cause the
eradication of outdoor grown marijuana in the United States at the same
time adding a valuable farm crop and reducing the destruction of the
forests.
Clearly with the re-introduction of hemp as a farm crop all paper
used by the United States in a given year could be grown by the American
farmer. In addition by cultivating an additional 1-2% of the farm land we
could establish ourselves as the provider of pulp for paper to a
considerable size of the portion of the world. This would reduce the
current trade deficit experienced by the United States.
It is clear from the evidence available that the cultivation of hemp
is a simple matter. In the traditional farm belt of the Midwest, hemp
requires no fertilizers, herbicides, irrigation, pesticides or complicated
cultivation or harvesting techniques. 26 As such hemp would be comparably
cheaper to cultivate than corn, and require less physical care to reach a
harvestable crop. It can be assumed that with the state of current
technology that in comparison to other crops hemp would be an inexpensive
crop to cultivate. 27
It can also be assumed that given the current state of technology
that it would be relatively inexpensive to process the crop into the three
(Hurds, Fiber, & Seed) raw materials that can be produced from hemp. 28
THE MANUFACTURE OF
PAPER FROM HEMP HURDS
Prior to the preparation of this report I discovered that several
companies in Europe, and the United States, still manufacture paper from
hemp. 29 I also discovered that several countries in the former Eastern
bloc are actively considering hemp as a substitute raw material for paper
production. 30
Unfortunately there is little published scientific work on the
subject. While it is quite clear that paper production from hemp is
continued to this day little technical detail about its production can be
uncovered. As such the only work I am able to cite from is The U. S.
Department of Agriculture Bulletin #404.
Since the only definitive published work is the U. S. Department of
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Agriculture bulletin, and since this work is extremely technical I have
copied the important material, and added comments to them as needed.
THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER FROM HEMP HURDS
BY JASON L. MERRILL, PAPER-PLANT CHEMIST, PAPER-PLANT INVESTIGATIONS
FIRST PUBLISHED OCT. 14, 1916
BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BULLETIN #404
Since Hemp Hurds are to be treated in this report as a raw material
for the manufacture of book and printing papers, the qualities, supply,
probable future, and cost of the material will be considered in comparison
with wood, with which it must compete. There seems to be little doubt that
the present wood supply can not withstand indefinitely the demands placed
upon it, and with increased scarcity economy in the use of wood will
become imperative. This effect is already apparent in many wood-using
industries, and although the paper industry consumes only 3 per cent of
the total forest cut, it is probable that it will be affected through this
economy. Our forests are being cut three times as fast as they grow, and
as wood becomes more expensive paper growing and reforesting will receive
more attention. Thus, naturally, a balance will be established between
production and consumption, but as this condition approaches its limiting
values the price of wood may rise to such levels that there will be a
demand for other raw materials.
The use of waste paper in conjunction with chemical wood pulp has
increased to enormous proportions, and it is probable that the increase
will continue. Although it is a cheaper raw material than wood, it is
reasonable to suppose that as the wood supply decreases and the price of
wood pulp advances, the price of waste paper will advance somewhat
proportionately. 31
It is quite clear, from the considerable amount of research
conducted, that the United States Department of Agriculture understood, in
the early part of this century, that the availability of wood as a source
for paper production would become limited or no longer desired. 32 As such
they undertook studies, like this and others, because in their words 'a
knowledge of other raw materials may be imperative. " 33 Ed.
In view of these conditions it is advisable to investigate the paper-
making value of the more promising plant materials before a critical
situation arises. To be of substantial value the investigations should
include not only a determination of the quality of pulp and paper which
the material is capable of producing, but should embrace a consideration
of such relevant factors as agriculture conditions, farm practice,
assembling conditions, transportation, and probable future supply.
Certain cultivated plants seem particularly promising because in the
harvesting of the regular crop that portion which might be utilized for
paper manufacture necessarily is either wholly or partially assembled. To
this class of plants belong corn, broom corn, sorghum, sugar cane,
bagasse, flax, Hemp, and the cereal straws.34
FACTORS JUSTIFYING AN INVESTIGATION OF HEMP HURDS
Hemp Hurds form a crop waste, in that they necessarily are produced
in the raising and preparation of Hemp fiber, and their present use and
value are comparatively insignificant. 35
The factors that justified the investigation of Hemp Hurds in 1916
are no longer valid, as the production of Hemp was discontinued, on a
large scale in the late 1940's, and entirely by the late 1960's, and Hemp
Hurds are no longer a farm waste. 36 Hemp Hurds are no longer considered
of little value. In fact the Hurd of the plant could be used to
When properly considered the Hurd from the plant may be the most valuable
part of the plant. 37
The factors that justify its re-investigation today are on a
different scale of need and importance. The main factors justifying the re-
investigation of alternative raw materials for the production of paper
are: Primary is the need for a rural development plan that adds billions
of unsubsidized dollars into the farm economy. Secondary is the need to
halt the wholesale destruction of the remaining old growth forests, as is
evident in the material available through other organizations. Tertiary to
this is the need to reduce the pollution caused by the production methods
currently employed in the manufacture of paper products. Ed.
Without doubt, Hemp will continue to be one of the staple
agricultural crops of the United States. The wholesale destruction of the
supply by fire, as frequently happens in the case of wood, is precluded by
the very nature of the Hemp raising industry. Since only one yearUs growth
can be harvested annually the supply is not endangered by the pernicious
practice of overcropping, which has contributed so much to the present
high and increasing cost of pulp wood. The permanency of the supply of
Hemp Hurds thus seems assured. 38
It is quite clear that the people at the Department of Agriculture in
the early 1900's felt that Hemp was going to continue to be a staple crop
in the United States. Unfortunately the U. S. Department of Agriculture
did not foresee the establishment of a total ban on the crop in 1937. 39
It is also clear, and stated many times in this bulletin, and elsewhere,
that with the 'increased use of the machine brake' Hemp use as a raw
material in general would be increased. 40 Ed
CHARACTER OF THE MATERIAL
No reliable data were secured as to the proportion of bast fiber in
the total shipment of 4 tons, although two hand separations of small
representative samples gave results averaging 8 per cent. ... Since the
length of the ultimate Hemp wood fiber averages 0.7 mm., it is natural to
assume that the bast fiber would tend to increase the strength of the
paper produced from the Hurds. 41
From the pulp-maker's standpoint the great irregularity in thickness,
length, and mass of the woody pieces militates decidedly against economy
in pulp production. The smaller pieces reduce by chemical treatment sooner
than the larger fragments and are thereby overtreated, which results in a
lower yield of cellulose fiber and a product composed of undertreated and
overtreated fibers, the production and use of which are not satisfactory
or economical. It probably would be found more satisfactory, therefore, to
screen or sort the Hurds and treat the various sizes separately and
differently. 42
It should be noted that it appears that the Hemp Hurds used in this
test were collected from hand broke dew retted Hemp. Hemp that has been
pond retted and broke by machine will have a greater uniformity than that
which was discussed in this report. 43 The material, produced by pond
retting and machine braking, should be considered highly prized for paper
cooking as it would have a great deal of uniformity of size and moisture
content. Ed.
Associated with the Hurds was a small quantity of chaff and dirt
composed chiefly of sand, soil, particles of Hemp leaves and flowers and
other extraneous matter. The sand and soil were present because of the
practice of placing the stalks in the field, and the butts of the stalks
being in contact with the soil. It is a simple matter, however, to remove
the chaff and dirt by sieving, and this practice was followed in most of
the paper tests conducted with this material. 44
The technologies of the mechanical harvesters and braking machines
have eliminated this problem 45 & 46. Hemp, after cutting, does not come
in contact with the soil thus avoiding any contamination, which would
result in the need for sieving. Further the employment of pond retting and
centralized mechanical braking would assure that the Hemp Hurds would be
clean of foreign material. Ed.
CHARACTER OF THE TESTS
In the tests described in this bulletin, the Department of
Agriculture employed a rotary digester of its own design, comprising a
shell 5 feet 5 inches in length by 4 feet in diameter, capable of holding
about 300 pounds of air-dry Hurds. It is believed that a test of this size
is large enough to give satisfactory results and that the results are
susceptible of commercial interpretation, while at the same time they are
sufficiently small for complete control and afford fiber yield figures
which are both accurate and reliable. Two such rotary charges gave enough
fiber for one complete paper-making test. 47
Operations Involved In A Test
A complete test on Hurds comprises seven distinct operations, and the
method will be described, operation by operation, in order in which they
were conducted.
Sieving - The Hurds for the first test were not sieved to remove sand
and dirt, but the resulting paper was so dirty that sieving was practiced
in all subsequent tests. The Hurds were raked along a horizontal
galvanized - iron screen, 15 feet long and 3 feet wide, with 11.5 meshes
per linear inch, the screen being agitated by hand from below. Various
amounts of dirt and chaff could be removed, depending on the degree of
action, but it was found that if much more that 3 per cent of the material
was removed it constituted chiefly of fine pieces of wood with practically
no additional sand or dirt; in most of the tests, therefore, the material
was screened so as to remove approximately 3 per cent. It became apparent
that a finer screen would probably serve as well and effect a saving of
small but good Hurds. 48
The sieving of the Hurds would not be required as the currently
employed methods in the handling and braking of Hemp stalks eliminate
contamination, as such this operation is eliminated. Ed.
Cooking - Cooking is the technical term for the operation by which
fibrous materials are reduced to a residue of cellulose pulp by means of a
chemical treatment. In these tests about 300 pounds of Hurds were charged
into the rotary with the addition of a caustic-soda solution, such as is
regularly employed in pulp mills and which tested an average of 109.5
grams caustic soda per liter, or 0.916 pound per gallon, and averaged 85
per cent causticity. 49
In the manufacture of Hemp Hurd paper you do not use acids As such
the pollution created with the production process could be reduced. Ed.
Determination of Yield - For determining the yield of cellulose fiber
the stock in the drain tank was washed with water until free from waste
soda solution, when, by means of a vacuum pump communicating with the
space between the bottom and the false perforated bottom, the waste was
sucked from the stock leaving the fiber with a very uniform moisture
content throughout its entire mass and in a condition suitable for
removing, sampling, and weighing for a yield determination. 50
Washing and Bleaching - Washing and Bleaching were performed for the
purpose of bleaching the brown-colored cooked stock to a white product,
since it was regarded as highly probable that the fiber would be suitable
for book-paper manufacturer. .. The bleaching powder used was estimated to
contain 35 per cent of available chlorine, as this is the commercial
practice, and the amount required was calculated to the bone-dry weight of
the unbleached stock. .. In these tests it was desirable so to cook the
Hurds that the consumption of bleach would be over about 10 per cent of
the fiber. 51
It should be noted that chlorine bleach is not the most desired
substance to use in bleaching Hemp, as it destroys the fiber, hydrogen
peroxide is the desired bleaching agent. Hydrogen peroxide is an
environmentally safe chemical. During the use of chlorine bleach many of
the dangerous pollutants like dioxin are produced, with the use of
hydrogen peroxide these materials are not produced, while at the same time
providing an adequate bleach for the paper. Ed.
Furnishing - Furnishing is the operation of charging the beating
engine with the desired kind or kinds of fiber in the proper proportion
and amount and the adding of such loading and sizing agents as may be
necessary. As shown in the record of results, the furnish in these tests
consisted of Hurd stock alone and a various proportions of Hurds, sulphite
fiber, and soda fiber.
Beating - Beating is that operation concerning which the paper makers
often say Tthere is where the paper is really made, U and although the
statement may not be literally true it contains a great deal of truth. It
is the operation whereby the fibers are separated from each other, reduced
to the proper lengths, and put in such a physical or chemical condition
that they felt properly and form into a satisfactory sheet. .. It is
during this operation that the loading and sizing agents are incorporated
and the whole furnish is tinted either to produce a satisfactory white or
the desired color. 52
The term Tpaper making, U as used in this publication, means the
operation of forming the finished sheet of paper from stock which has been
furnished and prepared in the beater. In these tests a 30 inch Fourdrinier
machine of regular construction was used, a machine which often is used
for the production of paper for filling regular commercial orders. The
machine is designed to cause the water suspension of fibers to flow on to
a traveling wire cloth, whereby the water drains away. More water is
removed by passing the wet sheet though a series of press rolls, after
which the sheet is dried on steam-heated drums and passed through polished
iron rolls, which impart a finish to the sheet. A Jordan refining machine
was employed in conjunction with the machine to improve further the
quality of the fiber, and a pulp screen was used in order to remove course
and extraneous materials from the fiber. 53
Description of Tests
The nature of each complete paper test and the dependence of each
operation on the others were such that it does not seem advisable to
submit the results of the seven tests in tabular form. The numerous cooks,
however, which furnished the pulp for the paper tests are presented in
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Table I in all essential detail. 54
Since the initial cooks and runs were contaminated and improperly run
the results are omitted from this report. Ed.
Run No. 141 was made from the stock of cooks Nos. 308 and 309 in
practically the same manner as run No 140. The stock ..., made into a
furnish of 14.7 per cent of sulphite and 85.3 per cent of Hurd stock,
loaded with 14.9 per cent of clay, sized with 1.26 per cent of resin size
.. The stock acted well on the machine and produced a sheet of better
quality than any preceding, with the exception of the color, which was due
to using too small a quantity of blue. 56
Run No. 144 was intended as a duplicate of run No. 143. Stock from
cooks 317 and 318 was given a medium brush and washing for one hour and a
further medium brush of one hour, bleached with 11.4 per cent of bleach,
and made into a furnish composed of 15.5 per cent of sulphite, 35.5 per
cent of soda poplar, and 61 per cent of Hurd stock, loaded with 21.4 per
cent of clay, sized with 1.17 per cent of resin size, hard brushed for one
hour, tinted by the expert colorer of the company, and pumped to the stock
chest. The stock acted very well on the machine, which was speeded to 75
feet per minute, with the Jordan refiner set at a medium brush. The sheet
is as good, if not better, than that of run 143, and it is also a good
illustration of the extent to which proper tinting will enhance the
general appearance of a paper. The poor appearance of the samples of
previous runs is due largely to lack of proper tinting. Various degrees of
whiteness, however, are demanded by the trade. 57
After running several runs of paper the operators were able to work
out the bugs in the process and produced Run Nos. 141 - 144. Clearly had
they had the material and the funding, additional runs could have been
problems encountered during the process the results of the finished
product were very favorable. Ed.
COMPARISON OF THE TESTS AND COMMERCIAL PRACTICE
In work of this nature and on this scale it is practically impossible
to arrive at a cost of figure which would be susceptible of commercial
interpretation, and in the preliminary publication nothing will be
attempted beyond a comparison of the process used with the Hurds with that
process commercially applied to poplar wood. The process last used with
the Hurds should not be regarded as final, satisfactory or most suitable,
as it has been shown that progress was being made up to the conclusion of
the work.
In comparing the method of using Hurdss with the method of handling
poplar wood, a difference is apparent on the delivery of raw material at
the mill. Ordinarily, poplar is received at the mill in the form of logs
about 4 feet in length, which may be stored in piles in the open. Hurds
very likely would be received baled, and it would seem advisable to store
them under cover for the following reasons: (a) Baled Hurdss would
probably absorb and retain more water during wet weather than logs of
wood, thereby causing excessive dilution of the caustic liquor; (b)
prolonged excessive dampness might create heating and deterioration unless
the Hemp were properly retted; (c) wet Hurdss could not be sieved free
from sand and chaff. Should further work show that the first two reasons
need not be taken into consideration, the third objection might be
overcome by sieving the Hurdss before baling. Even then, it is probable
that baled Hurdss stored in the open would accumulate and retain
considerable dirt from factory chimneys, locomotives, and wind. Checked
pulp wood exposed in the open invariably suffers from these causes. 58
The real comparison in the modern handling of Hurdss to wood should
be clarified. With the invention of pond retting, the machine brake and
centralized processing the paper mill would be only a small part of a
larger enterprise involved in the cultivation and processing of the Hemp
crop. The paper mill could in effect govern the processing of Hemp in the
retting and braking facilities to meet the demand of the paper mill. Thus
the storage or contamination problem would not affect the efficient
production of paper. Ed.
In the preparation of the raw material for the digesters there is
likewise considerable difference between Hurdss and poplar wood. The
former apparently requires only a moderate sieving to remove sand and
chaff, which operation doubtless would require only a small amount of
labor and the installation of simple machinery of low power consumption.
In preparing poplar for digestion, the 4 foot logs are chipped by a heavy,
comparatively expensive chipper of high power consumption, after which the
chips are sorted by sieving, the large pieces being rechipped. There would
be a noteworthy difference in the installation, operating, and
depreciation costs of the two equipments, and this difference would
counterbalance to a considerable extent the difference in cost of raw
material storage. 59
It appears that in the initial processing of the raw material that
the processing of Hemp would be an easier matter than that of logs. Since
I have previously addressed the storage and contamination factor these are
no longer a contributing factor. The result is that Hemp processing for
paper over tree logs is a net gain, in favor of Hemp, at this point of the
processing. Ed.
The weight of Hurdss which are capable of being charged into a rotary
is a decidedly unfavorable factor. The weight of a cubic foot of Hurdss
varies somewhat with the proportion of bast fiber, but averages 5.4
pounds, which, compared with a cubic foot of poplar chips at 8.93 pounds,
represents a digester charge of 60.5 per cent of the weight of a poplar
wood charge, or, in terms of fiber capacity, the Hurdss charge would yield
38.6 per cent as much fiber as the wood charge. The Hurdss upon being
baled for transportation may be broken and crushed to such a degree that
the weight of the charge may be increased, and it might be found possible
to increase the charge weight by steaming or by the employment of tamping
devices. This small weight of charge constitutes one of the most serious
objections to the use of Hurdss in paper manufacture. 60
This is the only serious objection to the use of Hurdss for an
existing paper manufacturer. With the production of new paper mills and
the use of slightly larger rotaries this problem could be eliminated.
Regardless, this reduction in production is not a major consideration even
for the current paper manufacturer. Ed.
The yield of total fiber obtained from the Hurdss may be placed at 35
per cent of bone dry fiber calculated on the bone dry weight of Hurdss
used, or 33.1 per cent of air dry fiber calculated on air-dry Hurdss. The
yield of bleached fiber was not determined in this preliminary work, but
may be safely estimated as 30 per cent, which is low when compared with a
yield of about 47 per cent of bone-dry bleached fiber from bone-dry poplar
wood. It is believed quite possible that satisfactory cooking conditions
may be found which will give a higher yield than was obtained during these
tests. The stock should be classified as easy bleaching, and 11.4 per cent
of bleach is a satisfactory figure, although a little high. 61
While the yield of fiber is somewhat reduced, this appears to be a
problem that can be overcome. The classification of 'easy bleaching' is a
very positive consideration as the cost of bleach is a major consideration
in the use of a raw material for paper production. Again the use of
hydrogen peroxide, which can not be used in the production of tree paper,
as a bleaching agent is another significant factor in the reduction of
pollution, a hidden cost of production. Ed.
As to beating cost, in the last two and most satisfactory tests the
total washing and beating time was three hours, which may be about an hour
more than ordinarily is used in making papers of this grade, although the
practice varies to a considerable extent.
In regard to furnish, there is such a diversity of practice that it
is difficult to make a comparison, but if the Hurds stock can be produced
as cheaply as soda-poplar stock, the furnish used in these last two tests
should be regarded as satisfactory to the book and printing paper
manufacturer.
The finish of the paper was not all that might be desired, but that
was almost entirely due to the calender stack available for the work,
which composed of nine light rolls, many of which were about 6 inches in
diameter and which had not been reground for some time. From a small test
on a large calender stack it was readily shown that the paper produced is
capable of taking a satisfactory finish.
This comparison, satisfactory in many respects, develops two factors
which are decidedly unfavorable to Hemp Hurds, namely, raw material
storage and digester capacity, and they must be taken into full account in
considering the paper-making value of this material, although it should be
recognized that investigation may result in the material improvement of
these conditions. Moreover, it is not at all improbable that further
investigation would develop more satisfactory treating conditions and more
suitable furnish compositions, and the belief in this possibility is
strengthened by the fact that material progress was being made at the
conclusion of this work. 62
The only serious factor reducing the economic viability is the
storage and processing problems that were overcome in the late 1930's (63)
and improved upon since. 64 Thus we could say that 'material progress was
made' after the conclusion of this work in 1916, in regards to storage and
processing. Ed.
Calculations on the raw material and acreage for a permanent supply
for a pulp mill producing 25 tons of fiber a day from 300 days per annum
or 7,500 tons per annum, give the comparison between Hurdss and wood shown
in Table II. 65
The most important point derived from this calculation is in regard
to areas required for a sustained supply, which are in the ration of 4 to
1. Every tract of 10,000 acres which is devoted to Hemp raising year by
year is equivalent to a sustained pulp - producing capacity of 40,500
acres of average pulp-wood lands. In other words, in order to secure
additional raw material for the production of 25 tons of fiber per day
there exists the possibility of utilizing the agricultural waste already
produced on 10,000 acres of Hemp lands instead of securing holding,
reforesting, and protecting 40,500 acres of pulp wood land. 66
This is the most significant results of these tests. Every 10,000
acres of Hemp, in 1916, could replace 40,500 acres of trees 'of average
pulp-wood lands. ' It must be remembered that in 1916 the average yield
was below 2.5 tons of mature stalk. Currently world wide production is at
a minimum of 5 (metric) tons to a maximum of 10 tons of stalk per acre. 68
Given that all other factors remain constant that means that the mill,
sited as, needing 10,000 acres of Hemp or 40,500 acres of trees would now
only require 2,500 to 5,000 acres of Hemp or the same 40,500 acres of
trees. This changes the ratio of Hemp to trees from 1:4, in the original
study to a low of 1:8.1 or to a high ratio of 1:16.2. This is supposing
that the ability of sustained production of pulp can be maintained, which
according to current information can not be done. Hemp on the other hand
is an annual sustainable crop. 69 Ed.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE PAPERS PRODUCED
Samples of paper produced in the seven tests were submitted to the
Leather and Paper Laboratory of the Bureau of Chemistry. The report of
that bureau on its tests is given in Table III. 70
There is no system of numerically recording the general appearance
and Tlook throughU of a paper, but it can be stated that only papers Nos.
143 and 144 are satisfactory in these respects, the other sample being
more or less thickly specked with shives. The general character and tests
of these papers correspond very closely with No 1 machine finish printing
paper, according to the specifications of the United States Government
Printing Office, which call for a sheet not exceeding 0.0035 inch in
thickness, strength not less than 12 points, free from unbleached or
ground wood pulp, and ash not over 10 per cent. The strength factor of
such papers is about 0.28. The ash should not be over 10 per cent for this
grade of paper, but in spite of the larger amount used the physical tests
are sufficiently high. It is to be noted that the physical tests of
samples Nos. 138 to 142, inclusive, are higher than Nos. 143 and 144 in
which 23 per cent of soda poplar was used, which shows clearly that Hemp
Hurd stock imparts strength and folding endurance to a greater extent than
does soda-poplar stock, but will produce a somewhat harsher and stronger
sheet and one of higher folding endurance. Undoubtedly, there is more dirt
in the samples than would be tolerated by the trade, but this was expected
since in this preliminary work the raw material was sieved by hand screens
instead of by automatic machines which would sieve more thoroughly. 71
It appears from the tone of the report that even though the paper
produced may be somewhat out of standard that these standards may be
regarded as only a guide for perfection in paper. It is also clear that
the testers were impressed by the characteristics of the paper produced.
Ed.
CONCLUSIONS
There appears to be little doubt that under the present system of
forest use and consumption the present supply can not withstand the
demands placed upon it. By the time improved methods of forestry have
established an equilibrium between production and consumption, the price
of pulp wood may be such that a knowledge of other raw materials may be
imperative. 73
Semicommercial paper-making tests were conducted, therefore, on Hemp
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Hurds, in cooperation with a paper manufacturer. After several trials,
under conditions of treatment and manufacture which are regarded as
favorable in comparison with those used with pulp wood, paper was produced
which received very favorable comment both from investigators and from the
trade and which according to official test would be classed as a No. 1
machine-finish printing paper. 74
The conclusions drawn by the author of the U. S. D. A. report are
significant in that paper of the highest quality was produced using Hemp
Hurds. Provided that improvements were made in the production and handling
of the crop the use of Hemp as a paper making material seemed to be a very
viable alternative.
The accuracy of the conclusions drawn in this report can be noted in
a 1917 report to the U. S. D. A. in which is quoted "Because of the
scarcity of raw materials for paper making and the increased tonnage of
Hemp Hurds, the matter was placed before a large paper company, with the
result that the entire year's output of a Hemp braking mill has been
contracted for by a commercial firm. The Hemp braking mill from which this
supply of Hurdss will be obtained is the largest of its kind in the United
States and was installed largely as a result of this investigation in
1916. It is anticipated that further expansion in this direction will take
place in the next few years. " 75 Ed.
CONCLUSIONS TO THE ENTIRE REPORT:
Since the dawn of time various materials have been used for the
production of paper materials. 76
Currently the main raw material used to produce paper is wood logs.
77 Current public knowledge and opinion is such that the use of wood for
the production of paper is hazardous to the environment. This opinion is
not likely to change in the near future. As such the need to search for an
alternative is imperative.
There are many farm crops that could be used to manufacture paper.
Plants like flax, cotton, kenaf, corn and others have a proven potential
to make paper.78 Unfortunately these other materials have major drawbacks.
Either the crop does not produce enough raw material, collection is
impossible, or use of the crop is environmentally unfriendly. Cannabis
Hemp on the other hand has none of these drawbacks, it is easily
cultivated, produces large volumes of suitable material, and is
environmentally friendly. 79
Currently Hemp is not an alternative to the use of wood logs, for one
simple reason; the cultivation of Hemp is restricted to such a degree that
even the cultivation of non-psychoactive cultivars is not economically
possible on the scale necessary to have an impact as a source of raw
materials for the production of paper. 80 With the removal of the laws
that restrict the cultivation of non-psychoactive cultivars of Hemp the
United States could eliminate the use of wood-logs in the production of
paper.
The United States has the potential to produce enough Hemp to supply
our paper needs. By placing only 1-2 per cent of our 1 billion acres of
available farm land to Hemp cultivation we could eliminate the need to
process wood-logs into paper, and add a valuable export commodity to
reduce the U. S. trade deficit.
The introduction of Hemp to the farm economy would have many
beneficial elements.
PROFITS:
The most beneficial element would be the addition of the most
profitable farm crop cultivated in the United States in the last 100
years. In reports to the Department of Agriculture farmers typically
reported that they had profits of 100-300 per cent over cost. 81 Most of
the profit was made in that the farmer of old processed the crop to fiber.
Today the farmers would be a caretaker for the crop and have little
involvement in the processing, as such the profit range may not be as high
as once was. This is not to say that Hemp will not be a profitable crop,
actually Hemp will probably be the most profitable crop available to the
American farmer.
The cost of cultivation when compared to other crops would be
considerably less. Hemp is a plant that when planted requires little or no
care. 82 Fertilizers, Herbicides, Irrigation, and other methods of caring
for crops are not applicable to Hemp. As such the equipment, and
chemicals, necessary to cultivate the crop are limited in scope and cost.
83 Hemp in effect should be one of the cheapest and easiest crops to
produce.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Currently the United States is in need of a rural development plan.
The use of some new, or expansion of existing, agricultural crops will
need to be an integral part of this plan for it to succeed. 84
Hemp as a farm crop is a rural development opportunity. With the
expansion of an industry the size of the Hemp industry comes with it a
shift in the rural economy in a positive manner.
Billions of dollars will be added to those areas that cultivate Hemp
as a source of paper. It can be estimated that the farms that cultivate
Hemp will enjoy the addition of between 15-30 billion dollars annually.
This does not account for the additional income, generated in the rural
economy, from the construction of the facilities that process the crop,
the mills that make the paper or the support industries that spring up.
Hemp as the tool of a rural development plan will assist in the
revitalization of the rural farm economy without the need for government
subsidies or aid.
EMPLOYMENT
With the introduction of Hemp, a new farm commodity, will come the
opportunity for thousands if not millions of jobs in the rural economy.
These jobs will range from the medium wage seasonal work to high paid
industrial work. The entire spectrum of jobs will become available in the
rural economy.
REDUCTION IN GOVERNMENT AID
The use of Hemp in agriculture will add billions to a sector of our
economy that is in desperate need for assistance. With the addition of
Hemp to the farm economy those farm areas that cultivate Hemp will have a
reduced need for government subsidies or aid.
In conclusion.
It is apparent from the material presented that the need for the re-
introduction of commercial Hemp cultivation as a source of raw materials
for paper production is desirable.
It is also clear that the cultivation of cannabis for commercial uses
can be done so without the production of psychoactive substances.
Clearly the introduction of commercial Hemp cultivation would be a
valuable tool in a rural development plan, and assist in stopping the
decline of the American farm economy, with a highly probable reduction of
current government subsidies.
FOOTNOTES:
Foot Notes for Paper Report
1 Paper-making The History & Technique of an Ancient Craft, D. Hunter
1943, pg. 465
2 Paper-making The History & Technique of an Ancient Craft, D. Hunter
1943, pg. 466
3 Paper-making The History & Technique of an Ancient Craft, D. Hunter
1943
4 Paper-making The History & Technique of an Ancient Craft, D. Hunter
1943, pg. 565
5 USDA Bulletin #404 Hemp Hurds as a paper-making material
6 Paper-making The History & Technique of an Ancient Craft, D. Hunter
1943
7 U. S. D. A. Motion Picture "Hemp for Victory", 1942
8 Letters From Prof Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops
Institute, Glukov Ukraine
9 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and Handling
of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 2
10 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 1
11 U. S. D. A. Motion Picture "Hemp for Victory", 1942
12 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 2
13 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 3-4
14 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 2
15 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 3
16 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 3
17 Letters From Prof Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops
Institute, Glukov Ukraine
18 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 3
19 U. S. Patent Office Patent #2,127,157; #2,108,56; 2,197,683
20 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 3
21 U. S. Patent Office Patent # 2,197,683
22 U. S. Department of Natural Resources Information Office
Information on Trees used in Paper
Production for the year 1990
23 U. S. Department of Agriculture Information Services, 1991
24 Letters From Prof Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops
Institute, Glukov Ukraine
25 Letters From Midwest Farmers to The Institute for Hemp, 1989-1992
26 U. S. D. A. Motion Picture "Hemp for Victory", 1942
27 Letters From Prof Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops
Institute, Glukov Ukraine
28 Letters From Prof Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops
Institute, Glukov Ukraine
29 Phone Interview with Representatives of Kimberly Clark, 1991
30 Letters From Prof Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops
Institute, Glukov Ukraine
31 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 7
32 U. S. D. A. Bulletins # 72, 82, 159, 309, 322, Publications
relating to materials for paper making
33 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 25
34 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 7-8
35 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 8
36 Phone Interview with Prof Bob Robinson, U of MN Hemp Experimenter,
retired, 1991
37 The Emperor Wears No Clothes, Jack Herer, 1992, Chapters 2, & 9
38 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 9
39 Marihuana Tax Act, 1937
40 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 25
41 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 11
42 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 12
43 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 2
44 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 12
45 U. S. Patent Office Patent #2,127,157; #2,108,56; 2,197,683
46 Letters From Prof Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops
Institute, Glukov Ukraine
47 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 13
48 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 13
49 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 14
50 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 14
51 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 15
*52 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 15
53 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 16
54 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 16
55 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 16
56 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 19
57 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 20-21
58 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 21
59 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 21
60 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 22
61 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 23
62 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 23
63 U. S. Patent Office Patent #2,127,157; #2,108,56; 2,197,683
64 Letters From Prof Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops
Institute, Glukov Ukraine
65 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 23
66 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 24
67 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 24
68 Letters From Prof Goloborodko, Director, All Union Bast Crops
Institute, Glukov Ukraine
69 U. S. D. A. Motion Picture "Hemp for Victory", 1942
70 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 24
71 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 24
72 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 24
73 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 25
74 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Jason Merrill, The Manufacture of Paper
from Hemp Hurds, 1916, pg. 25
75 Report from the Bureau of Plant Industry to the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, 1917 p. 155
76 Paper-making The History & Technique of an Ancient Craft, D. Hunter
1943
77 Paper-making The History & Technique of an Ancient Craft, D. Hunter
1943
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78 U. S. D. A. Bulletin #404, Lyster Dewey, The Production and
Handling of Hemp Hurds, 1916,
pg. 3
79 U. S. D. A. Motion Picture "Hemp for Victory", 1942
80 21USC802 Controlled Substances Act, 1972
81 Letters from Farmers to the U. S. Patent Office Agriculture Office,
1800's
82 U. S. D. A. Motion Picture "Hemp for Victory", 1942
83 U. S. D. A. Motion Picture "Hemp for Victory", 1942
84 FARM AID, Concerts 1989-92
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