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Excellent

Material Deep Dive

Hemp

Hemp scores 89 driven by low carbon and strong biodegradability with moderate water impact once weighted.

Plant

Virgin

End of Life

3 months

100/100
Chemical Use

Low

80/100
Pollution

Low

80/100
Water Usage

2,820 L/kg

90/100
Carbon Footprint

0.835 kg CO₂/kg

96/100
Considerations

Processing methods (called retting) can vary and affect the final environmental impact

Not as widely available as mainstream fibres

Often needs blending with other materials for stretch

Limited certified supply chain options compared to cotton

Strengths

Very low carbon footprint—one of the most climate-friendly fibres available

Grows with minimal water, often relying just on rainfall

Naturally durable, often lasting longer than cotton garments

Biodegrades completely with no microplastic concerns

Typically needs few pesticides, making it gentler on ecosystems

Carbon Footprint Analysis

96/100

Hemp produces approximately 0.835 kg CO₂-equivalent per kilogram of fiber.

The Data

Carbon Footprint

0.835 kg CO₂/kg

FSI Carbon Score

96/100

Sources: Higg Materials Sustainability Index, Textile Exchange Preferred Fiber Report

Sustainability Breakdown

Microplastic risk

None

Care level

Moderate

Available certifications

GOTS, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GRS, RCS

Key properties

durable, high tensile strength, breathable, absorbent, biodegradable, hypoallergenic, naturally antimicrobial, fast-growing renewable crop, improves soil quality

Common uses

apparel, t-shirts, denim, home textiles, bedding, sportswear, technical textiles, rope, twine, pulp and paper

Also known as

industrial hemp, technical hemp fiber, bast fiber, cannabis fiber

Hemp quick guide

Last updated: December 2025

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