Troubled manufacturer of ‘carbon negative’ hemp finds buyer

Suffolk-based Hemcore has been bought by Lime Technology, the UK’s leading developer of lime based low carbon building products.

Hemcore went into administration after seeing a drop in orders due to the economic downturn. The company processes and supplies hemp products mainly to the building and automotive industries, two sectors badly hit by the recession.

Lime Technology has been working with Hemcore for the last five years, as part of the supply chain for its 'Tradical Hemcrete' product, a mix of hemp and lime that produces ‘carbon negative’, highly thermally efficient walls for buildings.

Hemp, in common with all similar plants, captures CO2 and releases oxygen during its rapid growth. Furthermore, this captured carbon is then locked into the fabric of the buildings constructed.

The hemp-lime walling solution has been used in a number of building projects including The Renewable House, a low-cost housing project launched by the Building Research Establishment earlier this month.  

It has also been used in the construction of 26 affordable homes at Clay Fields in Suffolk, where it is estimated the use of Hemcrete will enable the 'locking up' of around 65 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

“The acquisition is part of the continued growth of Lime Technology and its Hemcrete brand,” commented Lime Technology’s chairman and technical director, Ian Pritchett. “It will enable us to have greater control over our supply chain which in turn will enable us to pass on efficiencies and cost savings to our clients.”

Lime Technology, which said it would retain the brand name Hemcrete but rename the business Hemp Technology Limited, is to keep the Hemcore factory and offices open in Halesworth and will retain all the staff.  It said it is also planning to expand the base of farmers for the hemp-growing season of 2010.