Hemp Pack

When I started this journey this summer I did not know which direction I was headed, with Covid-19 crippling my ability to pursue my current self-employed line of work in tourism I noticed a new legislation being passed by the Icelandic government. The legalization of being able to import and grow industrial hemp. With very little background in agriculture but a strong determination to not be discouraged by the pandemic, I set out to be amongst the first group of local Icelandic pioneers to grow hemp, and four weeks later after extensive research I was planting seeds on my grandmother´s land. Three months later I have partnered with the University of Akureyri Bio-Chemistry department in a joint-venture to create a sustainable, cost-effective, and fully compostable bio-plastic product that is local.

Our main focus is producing PHB, a bio-plastic created from microbes and industrial hemp. Our product replaces petroleum-based plastics and imported bio-plastics, therefore reducing the harmful toxins released by petroleum-based plastics both in recycling plants and nature while also reducing the carbon footprint of imported plastics.

How is it made?

The two main components of our PHB product are microbes and industrial hemp. After the hemp has been harvested, it is broken down into a carbon substrate through the use of enzymes. Then the microbes are put under stress conditions and "starved". Under such conditions and mixed with the bio-mass they produce PHB, which can then be put into injection molding casts (such that traditional plastics use) and molded into any shape.

The biggest challenge we've encountered has been how to present our solution in reverse. We are entering the Hackathon with an already formed solution, therefore our challenge has been finding a problem within the given dataset to match it. Other challenges I encountered have been learning how to farm hemp and connecting with the right people to tie it all together. Despite these challenges, it has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and learn a new skill set that I am very proud of.

What I learned

I learned that forming connections with the right people is important to develop an idea into a tangible and feasible project. All in all, through my research I have learned a substantial amount about sustainable products, how they are manufactured, and ultimately utilized. Through my research, I have developed a true passion for sustainability and creating an environmentally friendly solution for businesses to improve their carbon footprint and achieve their corporate social responsibility.

What's next for Hemp Pack

Hemp Pack is a startup company stepping into its early stages of research and development. Our next step is to find out where the application of PHB would best suit the Icelandic market, either consumer or industrial. Optimization of the growing process and sourcing of microbes as well as all cost-effectiveness is needed before the project can reach the next level.

There are exciting applications of PHB within both markets, for the consumer market we are looking at plastics such as cups, cutlery, clothing and packaging for other retail items. Within the seafood industry, there is a great need for compostable packaging tp replace traditional bulk food shipping boxes and plastic bags used in the fishing industry.

The solutions mentioned above need to be explored during the next stage of business development. All prize money will go into working directly with the University of Akureyri to move research and development in order to move the development of our business forward.