Hemp life cycle assessment: beyond preconceptions about bio-based materials

Hemp grows without irrigation or pesticides. On paper, the bio-based materials derived from it (textile fibers, construction materials, and others) appear to offer clear environmental performance.

Only on paper?

This is precisely what the life cycle assessment carried out with InterChanvre, the French hemp interprofessional organization, set out to examine. The results show measurable advantages across several environmental impact categories when compared with other natural or synthetic fibers. They also highlight a critical point: a fiber alone does not make a product environmentally sound.

Overall performance depends on use scenarios, product durability, and processing and manufacturing practices. This is where life cycle assessment becomes a genuine decision-making tool.

On January 13, 2026, at 10 a.m., Joël Lagneau (InterChanvre) and Yves Gérand (EVEA) will present the methodology and key findings at the ALL HEMP Congress (Académie du Climat, Paris, January 12-13, 2026).

Format: presentation followed by discussion.

Objective: to provide practical guidance on how to use these data in project contexts, including their limitations and scope of application (ecoinvent 3.12 database).

A session for those seeking robust, evidence-based answers about a plant known for its resilience.