Christine Green
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Elkhart, Indianna — An Elkhart manufacturing CEO says if industrial hemp was legal to grow in Indiana, it would create substantial savings in an industry where "pennies count."
During an interview with Inside INdiana Business, FlexForm Technologies Chief Executive Officer Gregg Baumbaugh said his company currently has to import hemp from Europe. Flexform uses non-woven natural fibers to produce components that become mats and panel products for the automotive and aerospace industries because hemp fibers result in products that are lighter, stronger and more impact-resistant than wood or fiberglass alternatives.
Baumbaugh said it could save at least $5,000 per 42,000 pounds of material compared to importing. He said his company uses up to 80,000 pounds of material per week.
An Indiana law passed last year legalized the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp, pending approval from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This year's bill, which died this session, would have helped speed up the state's request for federal approval – which is still pending.
A federal law signed by President Obama in 2014 included a provision that allows institutions of higher education and state departments of agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp. Nineteen states, including Indiana, have established laws that provide for hemp pilot studies and production under the law's conditions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Purdue University has taken a leading role in researching how to grow and harvest hemp effectively. Last year, Purdue University Assistant Dean Ron Turco said he believed commercial growth would ultimately be part of the state's economic future.
Even though the crop has been banned since the late 1930s, the 2014 federal Farm Bill did clear the way for research-based growth.
News Moderator: Christine Green 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Elkhart Manufacturer Pushes for Hemp Legalization
Author: Alexandra Kruczek
Photo Credit: WLFI File Photo
Website: wlfi.com | News from where you live.
During an interview with Inside INdiana Business, FlexForm Technologies Chief Executive Officer Gregg Baumbaugh said his company currently has to import hemp from Europe. Flexform uses non-woven natural fibers to produce components that become mats and panel products for the automotive and aerospace industries because hemp fibers result in products that are lighter, stronger and more impact-resistant than wood or fiberglass alternatives.
Baumbaugh said it could save at least $5,000 per 42,000 pounds of material compared to importing. He said his company uses up to 80,000 pounds of material per week.
An Indiana law passed last year legalized the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp, pending approval from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This year's bill, which died this session, would have helped speed up the state's request for federal approval – which is still pending.
A federal law signed by President Obama in 2014 included a provision that allows institutions of higher education and state departments of agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp. Nineteen states, including Indiana, have established laws that provide for hemp pilot studies and production under the law's conditions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Purdue University has taken a leading role in researching how to grow and harvest hemp effectively. Last year, Purdue University Assistant Dean Ron Turco said he believed commercial growth would ultimately be part of the state's economic future.
Even though the crop has been banned since the late 1930s, the 2014 federal Farm Bill did clear the way for research-based growth.
News Moderator: Christine Green 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Elkhart Manufacturer Pushes for Hemp Legalization
Author: Alexandra Kruczek
Photo Credit: WLFI File Photo
Website: wlfi.com | News from where you live.
