Biocomposites | Rare Earth Global

Sustainable Materials

Plastic pollution in the ocean costs society up to $2.5 trillion a year

We promote sustainable business practices by assisting companies to identify, develop and deploy substitutes to non-renewable materials. We aim to work within nature’s circular economy rather than disrupting it; through the purposeful incorporation of non-scarce, plant-based materials such as hemp plastic.

We provide initial scoping to full deployment of sustainable materials into businesses from any sector. Our technical team has worked on development projects of all sizes, from large scale plastic replacement to construction projects. We are working to scale these products for industrial buyers.

Hemp Plastics

Our plastics are cost effective, scalable and possess minimal shrinkage qualities or risk of abrasion. Our team will work with you to develop complex polymer mixtures for the toughest manufacturing tasks. The biocomposite chosen will depend on your specific requirements and can be used to replace a variety of environmentally damaging plastics already in the market.

Featured

HEMP ETHYLENE (25-30%)

Hemp combined with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE; a lightweight, durable thermoplastic).

HEMP PLA

Hemp combined with polylactic acid (PLA; a bioplastic made from lactic acid) to create a 100% biocomposite.

HEMP ABS (25-33%)

Hemp combined with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS; a thermoplastic and amorphous polymer).

Hemp Construction Materials

Our hemp based materials go far beyond plastics and provide solutions in many of your construction, development and manufacturing requirements. We will work with you to implement a green infrastructure into your projects, as well as helping you benefit from the carbon offset and land remediating properties of hemp.

Featured

Hemp Modular Systems

Development of modular elements crafted from hemp that can be used in construction or as a complete solution in development of projects. These parts will provide a key element and solution to modular sustainable developments. We provide bespoke solutions which will have an ever expanded range.

Hemp Carbon Fibre

Hemp biobased material in various composite densities made from hemp fibres and in some instances a blend with carbon fibres. Hemp ‘carbon’ fibre can be used in buildings, cars and replace other glass fibre products. Additional innovations in material output are being carried out through R&D.

Hemp Boards

Hemp fibre derived boards that are an alternative to particle board, medium density fibreboard (MDF), ply(wood) board and oriented strand board (OSB). Hemp boards can be used for furniture and other wood furnishings, as well as in construction. It provides a sustainable alternative to deforestation.

Hemp Insulation

Hemp fibre based insulation products created from the straw, made into rolls, batts, boards and panels. Hemp insulation, with its low conductivity and high thermal mass, can be used for roofs, ceilings, walls, floors and other areas within houses, offices and spaces.

Hemphene

Hemp nanocomposite made from the shiv (from layers of lignin and cellulose) which can be separated in sheets similar to graphene (tensile and structural properties). Hemphene can be made at a fraction of the monetary and environmental costs of graphene and can be used as a replacement.

Hempcrete

Hemp biocomposite made from the shiv mixed with water, lime (producing calcium hydroxide) and a cementitious property (sand or pozzolans). Hempcrete has a compressive strength of around 1 MPa. It is a lightweight and low density concrete alternative that is fireproof and mold-resistant.

Hemp Materials for a UK Modular Build

Project
Modular build kit cabins; factory constructed with bio composites, cross laminated bamboo and hemp insulation sandwich. The components have simple geometry and panels are light weight for ease of manoeuvring on site. The cabin can be completed within a day by just two people. The kit package, including kitchen, bathroom and all furnishing (drop-drown bed, table and chairs and wardrobes), will fit in a standard 12-metre high-cube shipping container or 2 halves.

Our Solution
Scoping, sourcing and executing the integration of hemp insulation and hempcrete into each kit cabin build. Working with the lead designer to ensure eco targets are met and the home is temperature controlled as desired; with the right density and thermal conductivity. 6 month project with an average of one acre of hemp used per home for insulation, and hempcrete used to add buoyancy to the foundations. Carbon sink savings are being monitored over the coming years.