Facilities and businesses that process raw hemp into fibre, hurd, seed, oil or intermediate materials.
Ashford Hemp Industries (AHI) designs and builds purpose-built hemp processing machinery that enables individuals, farmers, and regional communities to unlock the full economic and environmental value of industrial hemp.
By Colin Steddy Hemp Inside Pty Ltd | iHemp NSW Executive Member In late July 2025, I headed to China to reconnect with key partners and explore the latest in fiber, plastic, and board manufacturing technology for hemp. The trip was fast-paced, full of factory visits, long train rides, and great conversations over tea — but most of all, it reaffirmed just how fast hemp innovation is moving in China. Shanghai: Fiber Processing Reimagined After leaving Vacy early on July 30, I arrived in Shanghai late that night where my long-time contact, Victor, met me at the airport. We eventually found his car after a short adventure in the car park and drove three hours to the hotel, pulling in around 3:40 a.m. Despite little sleep, I was keen to see what awaited the next day. At the factory, I was impressed by the level of refinement in their fiber-processing systems. The new long-fiber line, recently upgraded, now requires only two operators instead of nine. It runs cleanly without the need for an underground pit — a big saving — and automatically bales the finished fiber. The new setup handles stalks under 5 mm thick, blowing the Hurd cleanly into a separate bin. Equally impressive was the short-fiber line, featuring a redesigned drum that treats the fiber gently, maintaining its length and softness. The integrated dust-extraction system can service both lines simultaneously, allowing any short fiber from the long-line process to be redirected — meaning virtually no waste. Although each line currently outputs about 300 kg of fiber per hour (roughly one ton combined), the modular design means five units could outperform a five-tons-per-hour European system at a fraction of the cost. That evening over supper, I reconnected with Eric, an interpreter from a previous trip, and his colleague Tim, a Dutch-born Chinese fiber specialist with a distinctly Australian sense of humor. Over coffee, we discussed how Australian hemp fiber could fit China’s high-volume textile markets. China’s grading system is still largely based on experience — “look and feel” rather than numbers — but their eye for quality is sharp. The conversation reminded me how important hands-on understanding remains in this trade. Jinan: Natural Fiber Plastics The next leg took me north by high-speed rail to Jinan. Steven from GW Plastics met me and introduced me to their automated molding operation — one worker producing a pallet of parts every three minutes. Their latest trials blend up to 80 percent natural fiber with plastic. The result is stronger, lighter, and less brittle — an ideal direction for sustainable materials. I immediately thought of potential applications for hemp, from injection-molded components to structural profiles. One idea we discussed was a “plastic rebar” or concrete straightener — using waste plastic and hemp stalks together. It’s the kind of circular solution that could really take off as green construction grows. Cement Boards and Bio-Composites From there I met Kevin, who manufactures cement board machinery used around the world. His plant featured two systems: a 100-metre heat-based line that requires glue, and a 50-metre cold-press version that doesn’t — fully automated, simple to run, and versatile. Boards ranged from thin 2 mm sheets up to 120 mm sandwich panels. This technology, combined with hemp fiber, could produce strong, lightweight, and toxin-free panels — exactly the kind of building materials the market is demanding. Every machine component met European electrical standards, meaning compatibility with Australian regulations would be straightforward. That evening, I checked into a modest hotel and ventured out for dinner, finding that everywhere I went, WeChat was the key to doing business. It’s more than just messaging; it’s the backbone of communication and payments in China. It’s clear I’ll need to set up a proper account before my next trip. Panjin: Reed and Hemp Board Futures A few days later, after a long standing-room-only train ride, I arrived in Panjin to meet Mr. Zhang, who runs a major reed-board manufacturing facility. Liz, an excellent interpreter, joined us for the tour. The factory processes 30–35,000 tons of reeds annually — material harvested from local wetlands and stored in large bales much like hay or hemp. The plant was spotless, with no visible dust and a sweet smell from the natural lignin binding the boards. Workers weren’t masked or suited up — the process itself is that clean. Over lunch, we discussed the potential for hemp as a feedstock. Mr. Zhang already had trialed hemp board and was enthusiastic about the results. He suggested partnering with Hemp Inside to test Australian hemp in his system, with the possibility of building a dedicated mill in Australia by 2027 if the economics and market align. The reed and hemp boards are almost indistinguishable by sight or touch — but hemp may prove to be the stronger and more sustainable fiber. Zhangpu: Wrapping Up and Looking Forward My final stop was Zhangpu, where I reunited with Mr. Xu — a long-term collaborator and friend. Over several days we shared meals, visited his warehouse, inspected a salt-tolerant kenaf trial, and talked late into the evenings about hemp’s future. Xu’s knowledge and network across China’s hemp and bio composite sectors continue to open new doors for collaboration. Our discussions confirmed that China is pivoting rapidly toward non-toxic, bio-based materials. Whether in fiber decortication, plastic composites, or natural boards, every manufacturer I met was seeking cleaner, simpler processes — and hemp fits perfectly into that vision. Reflections In just under two weeks, I saw firsthand how China’s manufacturing ecosystem continues to adapt and innovate around natural materials. The common thread across all these meetings was efficiency, integration, and sustainability — each factory taking steps to reduce labor, waste, and reliance on synthetic binders. For Hemp Inside and for Australia’s growing hemp industry, the opportunities are clear. By connecting our clean, high-quality raw materials with China’s processing technology and manufacturing scale, we can accelerate the development of hemp products that are competitive, sustainable, and commercially ready. As I landed back in Sydney on August 11, tired but
By Dr Maggie Davidson MAIOH, Senior Lecturer, Environmental Health & Occupation Hygiene, School of Science, Western Sydney University. Farming is one of the most hazardous jobs. Farmers often live where they work, so there’s little time for rest — especially for their lungs. While accidents are common, long-term health risks from dust, noise, and chemicals often get overlooked. In hemp processing, dust and noise are big issues. But we still know very little about how much dust and noise are actually produced, or which tasks cause the most exposure. This information is important because it helps us find better ways to protect processors, farmers and workers and prevent serious health problems. Organic dust from hemp can cause serious lung issues. Inhaling a lot of dust can lead to: Airway irritation and allergies Byssinosis (“Monday morning fever”) Farmers’ lung (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) Chronic bronchitis What We Did From January to March 2025, we visited hemp processors to observe the work environment and measure dust and noise levels. We took dust samples from the air around workers during different jobs like loading machines, bagging products, cleaning, and maintenance. Dust particles we measured were tiny — less than one-tenth the width of a human hair — meaning they can easily reach deep into the lungs. Key Findings Dust levels peaked at 1.0 to 3.0 mg/m³ during dry sweeping and using air blowers. Loading hammer mills and decorticators produced 0.5 to 1.0 mg/m³ of dust. Safe Work Australia sets the exposure limit at 1.0 mg/m³ over an 8-hour shift. So, sweeping and blowing created dangerous levels. Some dust contained respirable silica, which can cause severe lung disease. Levels reached up to 0.045 mg/m³, close to the legal limit of 0.05 mg/m³. Biggest Risk Areas Loading hammer mills and decorticators Cleaning dust filtration systems Using blowers and dry sweeping What Needs to Change To protect workers: Stop using blowers and dry sweeping immediately — they create the most dust. Use wet cleaning methods and HEPA H-Class vacuums (AS/NZS 60335.2.69 standard). Apply the Hierarchy of Controls: Eliminate/Substitute: Only buy clean, quality hemp with no mould, dust, or contamination. Engineering/Isolation: Install barriers and dust extraction systems to trap dust before it spreads. Administrative Controls: Schedule regular cleaning and machine maintenance. Ban sweeping and air blowers. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Supply and train workers to properly use Class 2 or 3 respirators, fitted and tested for the right protection. Where to Find Help Safe Work Australia has excellent free resources: Managing Work Health and Safety Risks Managing Hazardous Chemicals Preventing Hearing Loss at Work What’s Next We are working with hemp processors to develop dust and noise management plans. We’ll revisit them in 2025–2026 to see how improvements are going and share updates at industry events later in 2025. Thank You A huge thanks to the farmers, businesses, and partners who welcomed us. Special thanks to the AIOH Foundation and Western Sydney University for funding this important work.
YOUR INVITED TO A Meeting to discuss the formation of an Industrial Hemp Hub for the NSW Central West When: Friday 22 November (11:00am and finish around 3:00pm) Where: WSU Transition Hub (corner of Mort & Bridge Streets, Lithgow) What: a two-part meeting to discuss: what an Industrial Hemp Hub is and would do in the region (11:00-12:30pm) an overview and feedback on known opportunities and interests in the Lithgow and Central Western Region (1:30-3:00pm).As part of the workshop, participants will visit the Lithgow Women’s Shed, a beautiful hempcrete build in progress. Background Who suggested this meeting? John Muir is working with Ken Dodds as part of a new CRC-P (Cooperative Research Centre) funded by the Federal Government and REVOX (a private company with links to Melbourne University). They are looking at recycling materials to mix with hemp and identify ‘hubs’ within regional rural communities with enough like-minded individuals, who would be willing to share resources and experience to create working supply chains that grow and supply a range of industrial hemp products. Why Lithgow? Lithgow is now home to one of the larger public buildings constructed with hempcrete. It’s s a region where local government is highly focused on regional development (including agriculture) as the area transitions away from coal. This makes it potentially eligible for transition funding once the State Government releases its program of Transition Authorities for regions like ours. Lithgow Transition Hub (Western Sydney University) A series of workshops will be hosted in Lithgow in February as part of an academic research program aimed at generated a ‘social-license’ for growing and manufacturing products from industrial hemp. That program will be led by Prof Neil Perry (WSU) with Prof Louise Crabtree (WSU), Dr Stephen Heally (WSU) and Dr Michelle Zeibots (UTS). This November meeting is being approached as an opportunity to scope the content, structure and discussion points for the more detailed workshops in February. If you would like to attend, please contact: Dr Michelle Zeibots MPIA CILT Senior Lecturer (Transport) School of Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology University of Technology Sydney M. 0408 437 687 PO Box 123 Broadway NSW 2007 Australia
My Amazing Visit to China 4 -16 October 2024 By Colin Steddy – Hemp Inside Access to seed I flew to Xiamen and was driven to Zhangpu, to catchup with Mr Xu and his father Rong Long from ZHANGPU ZHONGLONG KENAF SEEDS CO, LTD. I first imported seed from Xu in 2017 after my visit in 2016 and have kept close contact since. We have formed a strong relationship. Working together with ideas on how to do more than just seed. China can now get permits to grow in most parts of China. The THC must be below 0.35 unless you have a breeding licence. Mr Xu has a breeding program with a government centre in China, paid for by Xu, looking at hybrid hemp seed production. For me, it was an interesting site visit because: we are talking new varieties of hemp the breeding program is looking at 4 tonnes per ha, so hemp can compete with soy. Currently there is a world shortage of hemp seed for food and planting seed. I am hearing reports of low yields and low germination across the world. ZHANGPU ZHONGLONG KENAF SEEDS CO, LTD has potential to produce eight hundred tonnes of planting seed for export around the world. Hunter Valley Hemp Seed & Grain, a new enterprise with Bob and Susan Doyle and myself. We will be growing the Chinese varieties in early 2025 for planting in the 2025 September season. We will also export. Please contact me for information. Details below. Research needed New research needs to be done on the flowering and pollen drop with dioicous varieties. With the findings that seed from around the world is having issues with low seed germination and bad vigour. We thought this was to do with heat and temperature; there is more to learn about the flowering times especially in diecious varieties. Mr Xu and I have been working on a seed testing protocol. When male pollen falls, are the females ready and what are the weather conditions? Is it cold and wet are the day length short? This looks like the results at Hamilton in Victoria for the long season varieties. Because of cold short days there was little seed produced exactly as I have been suggesting. Long season seed crops should be grown in the north then moved south for fibre and biomass production. Could this also be a result of germination rates falling quickly and low plant vigour? We are looking for the collection of flowering and weather conditions in relation to germination rate drop and low seed vigour. I would like our researchers to look at this. Exploring seed testing protocols We are looking at building new seed testing protocols on how to monitor what might happen with seed longevity. The hemp industry in Australia needs to keep all data from planting and fertiliser inputs and timing. What triggers THC spikes? Why do seeds loose germination? Fibre quality, planting density (plants per m2) and fertilise can have an enormous impact. Let alone how the machinery and retting occur. Know the spec from the end user? In the north of Australia long season varieties continually get higher grain yields. South European, and some Australian varieties do better than in the hot north. How you move the varieties in latitude will give you a different outcome, seed size, yield, or biomass. This also happens in China just south to north. See AgriFutures hemp trial results from all sites in Australia. The one thing that has not been calculated in the result is grain yield/price and biomass price. As a grower we need to know the total income from a crop. You can work this out yourself. Find the yields of biomass and seed and give them a value on current market. I work on $2.65 for grain and $3.50 for biomass as the stalk is less value than just a biomass crop. Currently in China there is a large demand for hemp fibre and China is sourcing fibre from every corner of the world. Is your fibre going into textiles, insulation, weed matting or paper? Each end product requires different specs and price. How much hurd can be in the fibre? Or is it a whole stalk product? My visit to a textile mill I visited a textile mill in Shanghai (CPL) that want to purchase textile fibre from Australia; the mill makes clothing, with hemp blended with other fibres. Lisa was my interpreter and looked after me. Their demand is growing, and they could be looking for up to 10,000 tonnes! Once again, I was treated like a king and taken to dinner and sightseeing to Xitang, an old Chinese town. Usually it is very crowed, but it was raining and was thankfully incredibly quiet. The market was a maze of thin walkways with shops selling food and a vast array of items big and small. It was very beautiful. This mill has a contact living in South Australia. His name is Yao Yang, and he kindly organised my visit. I wanted to see the fibre quality they need so I can help Australian growers and processors meet the specifications. Today there is a massive shortage of textile hemp fibre – how long it will last, we do not know. I introduced them to Mr Xu, my friend in Zhangpu. Unlike Australia, the industry in China is large and they were not familiar with each other. Along with Lisa, my interpreter, Mr Chunlei Hou and Professor Fan, a polymer academic took me to lunch. They were very warm and friendly. Before we drove to the mill, we discussed growing the right fibre, retting and what spec they need. They have some samples from Australia that need to have less hurd – below 10% is ok. The only mill I know that is close to their spec is Gary Rogers in WA and Bob and Susan Doyles’ that needs a few modifications to clean the fibre and the dust extraction.
Leon and Connie Minos have been riding a wave of increased enthusiasm and demand for their Ashford Hemp Industries’ products over the past decade. Since developing their own hemp processing system in 2018 to address a bottleneck in the hemp industry, their business digressed from growing hemp in northwest NSW to designing and building the containerised Ashford Hemp Processor, or AHP. The first AHP was sold in Tasmania to the dynamic Andi Lucas of X-Hemp, followed by another sale in New Zealand and South Australia. In 2024 Ashford Hemp Industries returned focus to increasing their local hemp supply by accessing quality hemp bales in their regional area. The consistent supply of quality hurd for the building sector had been impeded by a lack of regionally available suitable hemp bales which saw the processing facility at Ashford shut down for weeks at a time. Connie and Leon are confident that this supply issue will be addressed in the coming season. Ashford Hemp Industries has been able to secure over 200 tonnes of excellent quality hemp bales from the Tamworth area, and expects this supply to more than double next year. In addition to providing employment for the small rural town of Ashford, the hemp processing facility expects to generate enough hemp hurd to allow two new house builds each week. The increase in Australian grown and processed hurd will help supply a market which is longing for quality Australian hemp in their building products. With the Ashford processing facility running at full capacity, the Minos’ look forward to building their fourth Ashford Hemp Processor later this year. Further information on Ashford Hemp Industries can be gathered from their Facebook page, website or email connie@ashfordhempindustries.com.
A 25 year relationship with industrial hemp A pioneer and well respected champion of hempcrete, Klara Marosszeky, Founder & Managing Director of Australian Hemp Masonry shares her 25 year relationship with industrial hemp. By Kieren Anderson Can you describe the journey of the Australian Hemp Masonry Company from its inception in 1999 to its current position in the hemp construction industry? KM: The company was officially registered in 2014, but my involvement began in 1999 when I held a research licence with the Department of Health to conduct hemp varietal trials in New South Wales (NSW). At that time, DPI’s research suggested that hemp was not viable in NSW. I was one of the few licensed growers, holding licence number 3. In 2000, after reviewing available research, I created trial mixes of hempcrete and sent them to my brother for his expert opinion. He had extensive experience in building materials research and would provide a cautious assessment. I grew 2 hectares of Futura 75 hemp in Wollombi, harvesting it with a small group using a brushcutter. We built a mini processor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and began a self-funded research project at the Australian Centre for Construction. Progress was slow due to part-time teaching, work with Greening Australia, and a young family. What were some of the initial challenges you faced when introducing hemp as a building material in Australia, and how did you overcome them? KM: Initially, there was no precedent in Australia, apart from a Tasmanian project using imported materials. Limited English research on hemp building and minimal technical support presented challenges. The first significant hemp project in the UK, involving two townhouses in Suffolk, was completed in 2001. We faced a steep learning curve in understanding hemp construction and its adaptation to Australia’s diverse climates. This led to the development of a construction manual detailing best practices for hempcrete in Australia. We provided one-on-one technical support for builders and owner-builders, addressing challenges such as extreme weather events like Cyclone Oswald in 2013. Could you elaborate on the research and development process behind your building products? What were the key milestones and findings during this phase? KM: Early on, we explored achieving load bearing hempcrete, misled by online claims about its high strength. We later realised that hemp’s true benefits lie in its carbon sequestration, thermal performance, vapour permeability, the improved indoor air quality it gave, rather than its load-bearing capacity. We also learned that while adding excessive binder could create a load-bearing material, it compromised other important properties of hempcrete. How do you ensure the quality and durability of your hemp building products, especially considering the diverse climates they are used in across Australia and New Zealand? KM: Ensuring quality and durability involves using well-tested products, reliable manufacturers, and understanding climate-specific installation challenges. Training installers, collaborating with building designers, and providing strong technical support are crucial. Educating builders and designers will be an ongoing task until hemp construction becomes mainstream. We share insights from diverse projects in our training courses. With more published information and guidebooks, with recommended detailing, we can address various climate conditions in Australia, from cold and wet areas to hot and dry regions, as well as high humidity areas. How have partnerships and collaborations with regional processors influenced the evolution of your products and the scalability of your operations? KM: Emissions reduction was a core part of our vision, so regional partnerships and collaborations were essential. Introducing a novel building product like hemp required demonstrating its benefits plus its emissions reduction potential to stakeholders, including politicians. Building examples and partnerships across the country helped us gain acceptance and support. Can you share some insights into the regulatory environment surrounding hemp construction materials in Australia? How has it evolved over the years? KM: The regulatory environment has improved significantly. We now receive serious consideration from certifiers and building surveyors. Media coverage, such as on the ABC, has become more informed and positive. Most projects require development consent and certifier approval. We can provide a site-specific Performance Solution, documented product testing and international research to show how our materials meet National Construction Code standards. We also ensure designs are suitable for hemp construction, considering factors like roof overhangs and local weather. This year, we ‘re contributing to developing a Standards Handbook for Hemp Construction to hopefully further streamline approvals. What are some notable residential and commercial projects where Australian Hemp Masonry products have been used? Could you highlight a few that demonstrate the versatility and performance of your materials? KM: Notable projects include the Mildura Powerhouse Project, which features three buildings funded by federal, state, and regional governments. Innovation Centre at Byron Steiner School is Australia’s first hemp school building, praised for its carbon sequestration benefits and improved indoor climate. The award-winning hemp composting loo at Wilkins Green Public School in Sydney introduced hemp construction to city residents. The Caloundra hemp home, built by the community for a family with medical needs, highlighted hemp’s suitability for community projects. In terms of sustainability, Shepherds Ground Ecovillage in the Hunter Valley showcases eight small-footprint hemp homes built with locally grown hemp and timber. Other notable projects include several award-winning homes in NSW and the upcoming refurbishment of the old Forestry building at UTAS’s Hobart Campus, featuring internal hemp walls. In what ways do you collaborate with architects, building designers, and builders to promote the adoption of hempcrete in construction projects? KM: We often receive design enquiries from individuals who have attended our training courses and approach their designers with our details and compliance information. We engage in discussions with designers and builders, especially for first-time hemp projects. Collaborating with organisations like MECLA is helping us to attract the attention of design practices, developers, and government. Looking forward, what are your goals and aspirations for the company in terms of innovation, expansion, and sustainability? KM: We are continuously involved in R&D with universities, currently collecting data on thermals, acoustics, and indoor air quality at UTS. We
