After paper for drawing and inkjet photography, the German paper manufacturer Hahnemühle is launching a hemp-based paper for offset and indigo printing.
Because of its rapid growth, hemp provides more fiber than other raw materials such as wood on the same cultivated area, according to the paper manufacturer. In addition, fast-growing plants consume less water and do not require pesticides.
"This paper seduces with the authenticity and feel of a paper made from sustainable plant fibers, says Jan Wölfle, CEO of the Hahnemühle Group. Hahnemühle's hybrid hemp paper provides excellent printing results for text, photos and images ideal for authors, agencies, print service providers and publishing houses."
This new printing medium is being introduced for the first time at the London Book Fair with the book by photographer and environmental activist Maren Krings, entitled H for Hemp . This book on the subject of industrial hemp, its history and use was produced at the German printing house Elanders on an HP PageWide T250HD using for the inner pages the uncoated paper Hybrid Hemp 80 g/m 2 and for the cover a 280 g/m Hybrid Hemp card 2 on an Indigo press.
Since 2008, Hahnemühle has been using raw materials that grow faster than trees to produce papers for painting and drawing. "Vegetable pulp for paper production is a no-brainer for us, because paper was made from vegetable textile fibers until the industrial revolution." explains Hahnemühle on its website.
In addition to hemp-based papers for drafting, inkjet, offset and Indigo, this wood-free cotton-based range, called Natural Line, also includes substrates made from bamboo, agave and sugarcane fibers.
