Life Cycle Environmental Analysis of Hemp Production for Non-wood Pulp

Hemp is one of the oldest known fibre crops in the world and it has been a traditional crop in Spain, mainly grown in Catalonia (NE Spain) [1]. Its benefits (weeds suppresser, crop free from diseases, improving soil structure and no pesticide consumption) make it an attractive crop for sustainable fibre production [2]. In fact, hemp grown for paper pulp is one of the highest yielding and least intensive crops to cultivate [3]. In this work, Life Cycle Assessment methodology (LCA) was used to quantify the environmental burdens associated to field production of hemp fibre to speciality paper pulp making. Data for hemp production were gathered from one of the biggest producer in Spain and complemented with bibliographic sources. Cultivation was subdivided in five main stages: soil preparation, sowing, growth and development, harvesting and post-treatment according to its chronological development. The system under study was characterised with CML 2000 methodology1 in order to identify the hot spots. Fertilizers use, production of Triple Superphosphate and Ammonium Nitrate, harvesting as well as scutching were identified as the hot spots of the hemp fibre production process. The next step will be the collection of data for the processing stage in a representative ‘‘state of art’ ’ Spanish pulp mill in order to get a complete picture of the non-wood pulp production process