Industrial Hemp in the Nordics - A Startup Story

Hemp is considered nature's miracle plant. With over 25,000 known applications hemp can be used to make everything from paper to textiles, fuel, building materials, plastics, food, livestock feeds, medicine, paint, and oil. Hemp is a rising star for its immense utility, ability to replace big pollutants, and because it can grow in almost any climate, multiple times a year with little water, fertilizers, and pesticides. It also can drawdown CO2 and regenerate the soil making it a sustainability wonder. At the same time, hemp is nothing new. In the Nordics, hemp seeds have been found dating back to the 5th century, but as in so much of the world, it has been misunderstood and heavily regulated. It's just now that we are starting to see it make a comeback.  My guest today is Signe Anker, one of the co-founders of Bornholmerhampen. Listen in to their unique startup story of how they started growing hemp and producing products on the little Danish island of Bornholm. We also discuss hemp's history in the Nordics, what makes this plant so special, the challenges and regulations of working with it, and what's needed to help the industry grow.  7:30 Hemp vs. marijuana  14:00 What makes hemp sustainable and its many uses 16:30 Harvesting and regulations around growing hemp 20:30 History of hemp in the Nordics 25:00 Challenges of growing this industry For more conversations, join our community on Instagram or check out other episodes on www.nordicfoodtech.io.