Hemp Eco Systems
Hemp: A positive impact for Humans and Nature
"With natural building materials, HempEcoSystems has decided to serve Nature & Humans and respond to one of the most complex challenges of our time: building healthy and long lasting houses without harming our environment."
-Jorgen Hempel, founder of HempEcoSystems
About HES
Hemp Eco Systems is an association of companies and people specialized in the promotion of Natural Building and Renovation materials and products on a world wide scale.
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The definition of NATURAL:
all materials and products produced and distributed must come directly from nature, have undergone as little transformation as possible, with minimum use of energy and emission of polluting substances, resulting in high quality and long lasting products.
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For about 30 years Hemp Eco Systems has used its imagination and invested its energy into assembling materials and developing products that meet the most stringent demands; have an outstanding LCA rating, as well as obtained many recognised and necessary Certifications.
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During the last thirty years, thousands of houses and buildings have been constructed and insulated with the HempLime products and methods, in accordance with the HES company principal: "GOOD FOR NATURE AND HUMAN BEINGS”
4000 AC TO 1920
GOOD FOR NATURE / GOOD FOR HUMANS
Our ancestors found local building materials to build their habitat with nature as their sole supplier.
1920 TO 2015
GOOD FOR SPEED / GOOD FOR MONEY
Man invents synthetic building with which to build synthetic houses and buildings.
1990 AND ONWARDS
GOOD FOR NATURE / GOOD FOR HUMANS
Return to nature as direct supplier of building materials.
Our vision
Harmony between human activities and natural environment is the essential condition of our future
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Our mission
Fostering healthy, sustainable living by the reintroduction of natural materials in the housing and building sector, worldwide
To do so, we believe that the answer is in Nature. It's why we developed natural, sustainable, bio-based materials as a unique alternative to current carbon-based solutions to:
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build and renovate all kind of buildings with high energy efficiency and very low carbon impact
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provide inhabitants with a safe, healthy and comfortable indoor climate
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act now to make an environmental and social impact and change the way we build.
Our solutions benefit to both Humans and Nature, in the respect of legal and safety regulations.
Source: World Resources Institute, Climate Analysis Indicator Tools, 2014
Hemp Eco Systems History
The use of a wasted material
Some 20 years ago, french Yves Kühn and danish Jorgen Hempel discovered and developed Hemp as a promising building material. The Cannabis Sativa, also known as industrial hemp, produces seeds and fibers, while the stem (wood) was a waste material. It was also discovered that this wood contains a high percentage of Silica, which made it resistant to fire and rot. This was precisely what was necessary to make a valid building material. The wood was chopped up, wetted and mixed with different binders, principally lime (Calcium carbonate).
A test market
The hemp/lime mixture became a most efficient insulation material and its qualities as a humidity regulator was discovered. Hundreds of houses were built and renovated mainly in France during the 90s, for the ecological oriented market.
A global concern emerges
During the first decade of the 2000s, the world became concerned with energy, pollution and depletion of raw materials which suddenly gave the product new perspectives.
The re-discovery of hydrated lime
During the years 2010, Jorgen Hempel and his technicians became aware that hydrated lime (pure Calcium Carbonate) would be the ideal binder for the hemp. Calcium Carbonate exists in abundance all over the world, transformed into powder and humidified it carbonates and slowly returns by a natural process to its original state of Calcium Carbonate by taking up CO2. This type of lime mixed with hemp would be the ideal low energy consuming and zero polluting building material, able to produce a CO2 free, alkaline indoor climate for health and well-being. The problem was that the lime needed 4-6 months to cure.
An invention to solve a 2000 years problem
This problem was studied and after many trials, 4 natural minerals that would cure the lime in 1-2 days without losing the precious uptake of CO2, were found. A patent was filed and HES won the 1st prize at the international Bio-material conference at Cologne in April 2014. We had solved a 2000 years problem and possessed now a unique material that responds to all requirements of the future: using nature as a supplier, natural clean materials, energy saving, humidity regulating and foremost good for people's health and well-being.
What Problem Are We Solving?
Natural building and building with HempLime is an approach to construction that emphasises the use of natural, renewable, and as locally locally-sourced materials as possible. This approach to building is designed to address several problems, including:
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Environmental impact: Traditional building materials like concrete and steel have a significant environmental impact, both in terms of their production and their use in construction. Natural building materials like straw, timber, and earth are renewable and have a much lower environmental impact than traditional materials.
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Energy efficiency: Many natural building materials, such as straw bales and rammed earth, provide excellent insulation properties, which can help reduce the energy needed to heat and cool buildings. This can help reduce the amount of energy consumed and the associated carbon emissions.
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Health and well-being: Natural building materials are often less toxic than traditional building materials, which can improve indoor air quality and contribute to the health and well-being of occupants.
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Affordability: Natural building materials are often less expensive than traditional materials, and can be sourced locally, reducing transportation costs and supporting local economies.
Overall, natural building is solving several problems related to environmental impact, energy efficiency, health and well-being, and affordability. By using natural, renewable, and locally-sourced materials, natural building offers a sustainable and responsible approach to construction that is gaining popularity around the world.
