First sustainably certified natural fiber: European hemp fiber for automotive applications

In June 2016, hemp straw and fibers produced by the Dutch company HempFlax B.V. received the established ISCC PLUS certificate, reportedly the first natural fiber worldwide to achieve this.

ISCC is one of the leading certification systems for sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. In July 2011, the European Commission recognized ISCC as one of the first certification schemes to demonstrate compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s (RED) requirements.

As the first hemp producer, Hanf Farm GmbH, Germany, received the ISCC PLUS certification for their hemp seeds, hemp leaves and flowers in January 2016 (ISCC-PLUS-Cert-DE105-81763301).

In June 2016, the Dutch company HempFlax Exploitatie, Oude Pekela, cultivating and processing industrial hemp, received the certification for hemp straw and fibers (ISCC-PLUS-Cert-DE110-75160108). For the second factory of HempFlax in Romania the certification will follow next year.

Now for the first time, the sustainability can be traced and confirmed in the value chain from its agriculture source to the final car component.

Mark Reinders, Managing Director from HempFlax, expects high demand, "We are proud that we are the first supplier in the world of a sustainably certified natural fiber. Also we will certify our Romanian production as soon as possible and more hemp fiber producers will follow. Please contact us to secure your ISCC PLUS certified feedstock."

Michael Carus, Managing Director of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), sees more members of the association following HempFlax and Hanf Farm, "The future belongs to sustainability certified biomass. Big companies will not risk discussions with the public or NGOs on the sustainability of biomass in their products, especially if sustainable alternatives are available."