Technical sheet supply chain hemp

1. WP2 : Identification des filières et des réseaux de professionnels
TECHNICAL SHEET MICRO- LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN NATURAL
1. SUPPLY STRUCTURING
Can we find the material on the
territory?
 Yes
o How is it conditioned?
Hemp pellets for slabs, walls, insulating plasters; Short hemp pellets for
decorative plasters; 20kg bales; 12kg bags; Hemp fibre: 180kg bales; panels;
Hemp wool rolls, hemp + other insulating material (flax or cellulose wadding ...)
o How is it processed?
There was a manufacturing-processing factory in Brittany, located at Trémargat
(Côtes d’Armor) and operated by TerraChanvre. 150 ha of hemp was grown by
25 farmers near the plant and was certified organic hemp by ECOCERT.
Technichanvre, a company based in Baud (Morbihan) operates in the processing
and sale of hemp, but it can come from all over France.
Smaller hemp producers are also present in Brittany for example Maurice LEBRET
in Broons (Côtes d’Armor), or for specific uses of hemp (seeds).
Objective of the technical sheet:
 Analyse whether there is a micro
local supply chain or not,
 Identify potential constraints that
could hamper the development of
the use of targeted natural
material
CONCERNED MATERIAL :
 EARTH
 STRAW
 HEMP
 CELLULOSE WADDING
 WOOD
 LIME
GEOGRAPHICAL SPACE
 BRITTANY
 CORNWALL
 DEVON

2. WP2 : Identification des filières et des réseaux de professionnels
There are hemp producers in the neighboring areas:
- Eco-Pertica (Parc du Perche- Normandy) fine / haired / coarse shives. Hemp
wool. 80tons per year.
- Agro-Chanvre (Manche) fibres, shives, hemp-lime blocks. 3000tons per year.
- Biofib'isolation (Vendée): shives, wool.
- Construir'Eco (Indre-et-Loire) hemp bricks
- L’atelier de la pierre (the stone workshop) (Mayenne) bulk fibre
Can we estimate the production capacity?
 Yes
For Terrachanvre: 150 ha a year with a production of 7 to 8 tons per
hectare totallling between 1050 and 1200 tons per year
Figures for other producers have to be checked.
Is there a natural material supply-chain organization?
 Yes
o Name of the organization:Construire en Chanvre (CenC): Building with
Hemp, a national organization
o Number of members: 66 (associations, professionals, universities,
laboratories, contractors, ...)
The Association “Construire en Chanvre” has representatives at regional level.
At national level: InterChanvre and the National Federation of Hemp Producers
Who purchases the materials?
Artisans, building professionals, training organizations, self-employed people, self-
builders...
Is there a collective organisation to pool the purchase of materials (ex :
cooperatives, etc.) ?
Many building material suppliers - specialized or not -
sell hemp for construction. Purchasing cooperatives can offer bulk purchases.

3. WP2 : Identification des filières et des réseaux de professionnels
Are there incentives to favour the development of production capacity of
companies?
 Attractive territorial support schemes for projects involving the material
- Creation of a resource center at Noyal-sur-Vilaine (Ille-et-Vilaine):
Espace éco-chanvre , devoted to hemp as a building material and to plant
fibres)
- Workshops and short training courses for professionals and individuals
through various organizations and networks promoting the use of natural
materials for new buildings and built heritage.
 Support for tangible and intangible investments?
- Interest free eco- loan for thermal insulation work. Hemp may be used,
provided it meets the required levels of thermal performance.
 Existence of specialized consulting firms?
Espace éco-chanvre and organizations that promote eco-building, project
management advisors... offer tailored advice on hemp construction. Some
Breton architects have specialized in sustainable construction.
Are there research actions locally on the specific supply chain?
Yes: Pays de Lorient (Morbihan) conducted a prospective study on hemp use in
construction
(http://www.audelor.com/fileadmin/Audelor/Publications/Communications/communica
tion57.pdf)
European projects aimed at promoting the use of natural materials including
hemp: www.inater’.eu / www.libnam.eu
Are linked made between researchers and companies?
Some construction companies are members of the “Contruire en Chanvre”
network. Artisans and businesses are often members of organizations that
promote sustainable construction. The training sessions or awareness actions are
intended for them or organized in collaboration with artisans and businesses.

4. WP2 : Identification des filières et des réseaux de professionnels
2. LINKS BETWEEN THE VALUE CHAIN
What are the trades/engineering/companies and actors linked to the concerned
material?
Farmers, processors, material suppliers, craftsmen and professionals, trainers, c
communities and institutional stakeholders, associations, resource centers,
specialized press.
Is there an economic monitoring on the supply chain?
Yes via the « Construire en Chanvre » network, the FNPC: National Federation of
Hemp Producers.
Is there a label or a project of label on the concerned natural materials ?
Hemp aggregates for building label: quality label for building with hempcrete.
Professional rules for hemp: technical implementations of hemp, depending on
the type of backing, the type of use and the lime - hemp mix used.
3. STIMULATING DEMAND
Is there a control policy on the origin and quality of used natural material?
For Terrachanvre, Ecocert controls the label for organic agriculture.
Is there an institutional and public communication to favour the use of natural
material in building on the territory?
Not aware of it.
Are there reference houses/buildings on the territory?
The Breton networks for Sustainable building (Etudes ET Chantiers, BRUDED,
Approche éco-habitat, Réseau Breton Bâtiment Durable) publish feedback on
green building, including hemp.

5. WP2 : Identification des filières et des réseaux de professionnels
Below are some examples of public initiatives:
- Resource center “Espace éco-chanvre et fibres végétales” at Noyal-sur-Vilaine
(Ille-et-Vilaine)
- Ekopol at Rostrenen (Côtes d’Armor)
- Farmhouse inn in Chauvigné (Ille-et-Vilaine)
- Primary school in St Marc Le Blanc (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Are there incentive measures such as specific tax exemption?
In France, there are specific aids for the clients, such as the eco-loan or tax
credit provided they have their thermal performance work done by RGE
(Recognized by Grenelle Environment) qualified professionals. There are also
other incentives according to the type of work performed (reduced VAT to 10%,
grants and government financial aids ...).