Hanesbrands signs on to use sustainable hemp-based Crailar fibers

PORTLAND (EcoTextile News)– Hanesbrands Inc. has purchased its first batch of ‘Crailar’ produced bast fibres from Naturally Advanced Technologies, according to the Canadian-based developer of the new fibre extraction technique.

The deal follows the signing of multiphase joint development agreement between NAT and Hanesbrands last August in which the socks and activewear manufacturer confirmed it would use Crailar bast fibres in some of its commercial knit products. The feedstock for these fibres grows without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides or herbicides to the standards set out by the USA’s National Organic Program (NOP).

This sale is believed to be for around 10,000 pounds of Crailar in the first quarter of 2010, which will be used to supply a full-scale trial later with the company’s proposed manufacturing equipment supplier in Germany. After that, the company will conduct another trial on commercial-scale spinning equipment at a Hanesbrands facility which will be followed by consumer testing.

This new Crailar technology sounds exciting and it isn’t even until deep into the press release that anyone mentions that the product is a new way of processing good ol’ industrial hemp.

(Naturally Advanced Technologies) CRAILAR® Advanced Materials refers to the dissolving pulp that we have developed, in collaboration with the Alberta Research Council, which can be used for performance apparel, biodegradable plastics, consumer paper products and much more. Advanced Materials fiber begins with hemp harvested at maturity, which is then de-corticated (a mechanical process that separates the plant’s outer fiber from the inner woody core) and cut to a uniform length of approximately 10mm. This fiber then enters the CRAILAR® pulping process which does not require the numerous harsh chemicals or expensive pressurized equipment used in the traditional kraft pulping industry.

So while our American politicians sputter on about threats to the environment, they ignore an easy way to curb the extreme use of pesticides and herbicides on the huge cotton crops in the American South. Meanwhile our Canadian neighbors are figuring out innovative ways to use the hemp to produce cheaper and more eco-friendly materials.

(TreeHugger.com) Crailar is made using an innovative enzyme technology for processing textile and industrial hemp. It is expected to produce millions of bales of organic, soft white fiber. It is projected to cost less than conventional cotton, and will be grown in Canada. In addition to economic benefits, Crailar is highly environmentally sensitive, grown organically without the use of pesticides or the enormous fresh water irrigation required by conventional cotton.

Based on future prices, it is estimated that Crailar’s production costs would be $0.42 USD [$0.52 CAD] per pound versus $0.62 USD [$0.76 CAD] for conventional cotton, and $1.50 USD [$1.85 CAD] for organic cotton.

When will our country finally return to our hemp heritage?