From Sunglasses to Chess Games: Hemp Products Focus on the Environment Gain Spotlight
Reducing plastic production should be one of the goals of two Nebraska brothers, Andrew and Steve Bader, who are doing their part to save the planet from petroleum derivatives, which take between 20 and 500 years to decompose
Curation and editing by Sechat, with information from El Planteo
The Bader brothers started manufacturing various products with hemp fiber plastics using 3D printers and high-tech injection molding machines, reported the Star-Herald.
“The world is saturated with petroleum-derived plastics. If we can get something that degrades more rapidly into wider use, our world could be greener and our future much brighter,” said Andrew Bader.
According to the Baders, using a biodegradable plant-based form of plastic for their Hemp3D business means helping the environment, making a fun and marketable product, and creating full-time jobs.
Hemp3D mainly produces hemp plastic sunglasses, and the pair of prototypes was made two years ago. The company now offers 11 models, from those resembling Ray-Ban to those described as a "combination of Elton John, Johnny Depp, and Harry Potter."
“They are biologically sourced and made in Nebraska,” says Joe Naumann, cousin of the Baders and marketing director.
In addition to sunglasses, the company is fulfilling some custom orders, such as hemp plastic keychains with custom logos. They are also producing chess games, can openers, earrings, display boxes, and guitar picks, among others.
“It's as much art and fashion as it is a manufacturing business,” says Andrew Bader.
Cultivate Hemp for Fiber Instead of CBD
There are currently 62 licensed hemp growers in Nebraska. In 2021, 886 acres were authorized for outdoor hemp cultivation and around 266,600 square feet in greenhouses.
However, the lack of hemp processing facilities - only two in the state - has hindered sector growth. And that is one of the reasons why hemp cultivation has shifted from CBD to fibers that can be used in construction materials and clothing. Hemp has also seen interest in being used not only as animal and pet feed but also to make protein and vegetable-rich burgers.
The Bader brothers plan to lease facilities and expand production. They are also seeking investors to help them develop the molds they use to make their sunglasses.
“We need to scale up to truly reach all the stores we want to be in,” said Andrew Bader.
Brazilian Legislation
In Brazil, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) still does not allow the commercialization of any hemp fiber derivatives, whether for the textile or food industry. However, Bills like 399/2015 could regulate this.