Hemp is already used in ropes, textiles, and biofuel, and can be used in block  or panel form or added to concrete for building construction. Not only are hemp blocks carbon neutral, but they are resistant to fire, mold, and weather effects. Although they are not common in the construction industry, a twelve-story-high skyscraper is already being built in Cape Town with walls made from hemp blocks and a traditional frame. This material could be revolutionary for the future of construction.

In addition to their positive environmental impact, these blocks are easy to assemble, as they’re ready to be used and don’t need time to dry, unlike concrete. Building with them takes 20-30% less time than normal concrete, and no insulating or finishing layers are needed, reducing the thickness of the walls and therefore freeing up space inside structures. 

Despite their noteworthy upsides, hemp blocks cost 30-40% more than traditional alternatives. They aren’t popular in construction because of their connection to marijuana, but it’s recently been approved for use in housing in the US. Hemp has been imported from England, but licenses in South Africa issued in 2022 would allow for blocks to be made there. High costs are due in large part to the market and inefficiencies in the supply chain. As demand is created, the market will self-regulate and the cross of hemp construction materials will go down.

Although hemp is in its beginning stages, it’s an innovative addition to the realm of building materials. If it gains traction and its manufacturing and distribution process is streamlined, it has the potential to completely change the world of construction, especially in regards to sustainability.

A shorter one this week because they’ve been pretty long lately! I initially started these with the intention of only writing a couple paragraphs based off the article(s) I read and a couple giving my thoughts on the subject, but I’ve been so interested in what I’ve been researching that I’ve written a whole lot more. So although this one isn’t about the consumer end of environmentalism, I thought it would nice to bring it back a little this week and keep it brief.

These blocks are pretty cool! I hadn’t heard about these blocks before but they have some pretty cool implications if they catch on. I know we recently gained understanding for the formula for Roman concrete, and it’s unfortunate that we won’t be using it due to the prevalence of metals in construction and the fact that a product that lasts longer is bad for business, so companies are less likely to sell it. However, I’m optimistic that these bricks will gain popularity and set a standard for sustainability in construction.

Next week is going to hectic for me, so I expect the next Synopsis to be short, but stay tuned to learn with me!

Williams, Kevin. “For Green Materials, Builders Turn to Hemp.” New York Times, 03/01 2023. ProQuest; SIRS Issues Researcher, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2784946418?accountid=163174.