What is Hemp Fabric?
What is hemp fabric?
HEMPEA products are made from 100% hemp fabric.
Hemp fabric is made from fibers obtained from the stem of the hemp plant. So-called industrial hemp or fiber hemp is a fast-growing, versatile plant that can be used in many different ways. In addition to textiles, industrial hemp is used, for example, in construction and for making paper.
Hemp fabric is a natural, durable, and timeless material that feels pleasant against the skin. The texture of hemp fabric only softens and improves with use. It has a strong structure and is highly resistant to wear and washing. In terms of feel and appearance, hemp resembles linen.
How do hemp and linen differ from each other? Read more in our blog post: linen fabric vs. hemp fabric.
Why is hemp fabric an eco-friendly material?
The cultivation of hemp as well as the properties of hemp fabric make it an eco-friendly alternative to other textiles.
Hemp cultivation:
- Generally does not require artificial irrigation but grows in most climates with rainwater alone.
- Requires little to no pesticides to grow (1).
- Improves soil quality: Its deep root system aerates the soil and prevents erosion. Organic matter from the roots and leaves enriches the soil for subsequent crops. (2)
- Effectively sequesters carbon: As it grows, hemp sequesters 2–3 times more carbon dioxide than the average Finnish forest. (3, 4, 5)
Hemp fabric:
- Production consumes about three times less water than cotton production (6).
- Regulates temperatures and effectively wicks away moisture. Hemp fabric is breathable and conducts heat about twice as effectively as cotton (7).
- It is coarse yet surprisingly soft.
Where is HEMPEA hemp fabric manufactured?
HEMPEA hemp fabric is high-quality, dense and sturdy, yet soft. Our entire production chain is based in Europe.
We use both undyed, natural-colored hemp and hemp fabrics dyed with safe dyes.
Origin of HEMPEA bed sheet fabrics:
- Hemp is grown in Europe (mainly France and Italy)
- Hemp fiber is processed and spun into yarn in Europe (Lithuania and Poland)
- The fabrics are woven in Europe (Poland)
- OEKO-TEX certification
Origin of HEMPEA waffle fabric:
- Hemp is grown in Europe (Romania and neighboring regions)
- Hemp fiber is processed and spun into yarn in Europe (Romania)
- The fabric is woven in Europe (Romania)
From hemp fabric to HEMPEA products in Finland
HEMPEA products are designed in Finland.
All HEMPEA home textiles are sewn in Finland at professional sewing workshops. Most of the production takes place at sewing workshops in Inari and Juupajoki.
In our own HEMPEA workshop in Ivalo, we produce prototypes, custom orders, and small product batches.
HEMPEA products have been awarded the Key Flag symbol, which signifies Finnish manufacturing.
Discover the rough yet soft product range of HEMPEA hemp textiles.
References
- Growing hemp for the future. Textile Exchange (2023). https://textileexchange.org/app/uploads/2023/04/Growing-Hemp-for-the-Future-1.pdf
- Piotrowski & Carus. Ecological benefits of hemp and flax cultivation and products (2011). https://eiha.org/media/attach/643/11-05-13_Ecological_benefits_of_hemp_and_flax.pdf
- Hyvin hoidettu metsän on ilmastoteko, Stora Enso. Viitattu 10.4.2026. https://www.storaensometsa.fi/hyvin-hoidettu-metsa-on-ilmastoteko/
- Hemp "more effective than trees" at sequestering carbon says Cambridge researcher, Dezeen (2021). Viitattu 10.4.2026. https://www.dezeen.com/2021/06/30/carbon-sequestering-hemp-darshil-shah-interview/
- Ismagilov & Rusakov. Hemp (cannabis sativa l.) is an effective carbon depositing crop (2024). https://www.bio-conferences.org/articles/bioconf/pdf/2024/27/bioconf_idsisa2024_10001.pdf
- Averink. Global water footprint of industrial hemp textile (2015). https://essay.utwente.nl/fileshare/file/68219/Averink,%20J.%200198501%20openbaar.pdf
- Ssegwanyi et al. Assessment of various comfort properties of fabrics made from hemp and flax (linen) in comparison to their cotton blends (2025). https://ijsred.com/volume8/issue5/IJSRED-V8I5P81.pdf