The current goal is to grow dual cultivar variety hemp crops in Northern Ontario, so that we can use the grain for food production and decorticate hemp stalks into raw materials for non-food use. The decorticated long bast fibers would be used to develop bio-based alternatives for cardboard packaging and single use plastics.
We are currently working with partners who have developed decortication machinery and are seeking to commercialize the use of this machine to make it accessible to farmers across the region. Due to the proprietary nature of this machine and the intellectual property associated with it, we are looking at a leasing model.
In order to provide clear guidelines for operating and maintaining the machine, a user manual needs to be developed, which takes into consideration the numerous aspects of hemp processing (plant selection, planting, harvesting, decorticating and storing) as well as the use in production of the processed raw materials of the hemp plant.
We are in the research stage, and are seeking funding that would allow us to purchase raw materials, decorticate stalks, test packaging formulations and to work alongside industry partners in order to market and distribute our products.
Thank you again for your time and please reach out to me to collaborate.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Zaffia Laplante
Zaffia@hempergy.ca