Hempcrete: What It Is and the Benefits for the Construction Industry
Made from hemp fibers, hempcrete is a material with high thermal insulation and low environmental impact
Published on 08/12/2025
Brazil can boost the hempcrete industry with broad regulation of cannabis cultivation. | Image: Canva Pro
Hempcrete, or hemp concrete, is a sustainable material made from a mixture of the woody core of the hemp plant with a water-based binder and lime. Primarily used as a thermal insulator, it cannot be employed as a structural material, being combined with wood, stone, or other supports. The broad regulation of hemp cultivation in Brazilian agriculture can enhance the production of sustainable bricks for the construction industry.
Benefits of hempcrete: insulation, strength, and sustainability
Among its benefits, it stands out for its excellent thermal insulation, which regulates the internal temperature of buildings, reducing the use of heating and cooling. Additionally, hempcrete is hygroscopic, absorbing and releasing moisture, making it resistant to mold and improving the quality of the indoor environment.
Hemp and Carbon Sequestration: an Environmental Solution
Another important advantage is its ability to capture carbon. Hemp, during its rapid growth of about five months, sequesters between 9 and 15 tons of CO2 per hectare, contributing to reducing the carbon footprint. Furthermore, hemp consumes little water and can aid in soil regeneration by removing heavy metals.
Regulation of Cannabis in Brazil and the Future of Hemp in the Construction Industry
In Brazil, the regulation of cannabis cultivation expected for September 2025 will be focused on medicinal and pharmaceutical purposes, with defined criteria for cannabis oil production. However, it is essential to consider, at a later stage, the fate of the plant biomass after the extraction of phytotherapeutics. The regulation plan still leaves open the question of utilizing other parts of the plant, such as hemp fibers, which can be reused in the construction industry, for example, in the production of hempcrete.
Perspectives for the Comprehensive Use of the Plant and Circular Economy
Thus, the expectation is that the comprehensive use of the plant can evolve beyond the medicinal sector, opening up space for sustainable industrial uses that contribute to the circular economy and to more ecological constructions in the country.
