Ege Organics is part of Egedeniz Group which has been in the sustainable and organic textile industry since 1993. By being in the sustainable textile industry long before we are constantly striving to find new and innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint, conserve water, reduce waste, and promote sustainable sourcing practices.
This not only helps us to protect the environment but also supports the long-term viability of the communities in which we operate.
What is hemp fiber?
- The term ‘hemp’ is basically the industrial name of Cannabis Sativa L. It is one of the oldest plants grown across the world somehow in any weather condition.
- Application of hemp: textile, paper, oil, biopolymer, construction, automotive, cosmetics, food, health, and renewable energy industries.
- Hemp guarantees high yields (up to12 tons per hectare as cellulose, 20 tons as stem particles, and 25tons as fiber matter per hectare)
- Hemp is a natural bast fiber.
What are the characteristics of hemp fiber?
Qualities of hemp fiber are excellent strength, durability, longevity, moisture wicking, air permeability, high dyeing absorption resulting in vibrant and resistant colors, warmth retention, high-temperature resistance, insulation, and UV-blocking due to their chemical composition containing lignin and phenolic acids.
- Hemp fiber, moreover, has anti-radiation, anti-mildew, antifungal, anti-static, and antibacterial properties.
- A fabric made entirely from hemp can usually be abrasive to the skin. However, when blended, depending on the other fiber, a greater range of properties and textures can be achieved. For instance, when blended with cotton, the fabrics have a softer texture and feel.
- Hemp fabric gets softer and becomes more comfortable with each wash and wear.
- Hemp blended with Tencel, less hairiness and unevenness is achieved or blended with wool, for instance, it becomes less flammable.
How sustainable is hemp?
- Hemp grows rapidly.
- As a natural fiber, it is biodegradable if keeps its natural state.
- The need for irrigation in hemp production depends on the location, season, and climate. However, generally speaking, its cultivation needs very little water, particularly when early soil moisture is taken advantage of, and early ground cover is obtained.
- Hemp requires a limited amount of chemical inputs as it can overcome the attack of most diseases as well as pests, although not 100% immune to threats. It quickly smothers other unwanted plants around it.
- Hemp accumulates heavy metals in its tissues and pulls nuclear toxins from the soil, which makes it a viable phytoremediation crop.
- Hemp has an extensive and deep root system, it aerates the soil, replenishes it by killing and displacing other tiny crops or weeds for the crops around it, and reduces soil loss and erosion.
- Hemp is suitable for rotational farming with several crops such as soybeans, tobacco, wheat, corn, and many more.
- Hemp renders the soil fertile and stabilized for subsequent crops and so it can also serve as a cover crop.
- Hemp wastewater is minimal since all parts of this plant from its seeds to its flowers and leaves are also utilized.
- Hemp has an extensive and deep root system, it aerates the soil, replenishes it by killing and displacing other tiny crops or weeds for the crops around it, and reduces soil loss and erosion.
- Hemp is suitable for rotational farming with several crops such as soybeans, tobacco, wheat, corn, and many more.
- Hemp renders the soil fertile and stabilized for subsequent crops and so it can also serve as a cover crop.
- Hemp wastewater is minimal since all parts of this plant from its seeds to its flowers and leaves are also utilized.
- Our hemp grows exclusively as textile raw material.
- Our hemp seeds are sown close together to achieve taller stalks that are not too thick with almost no branching. Dense planting, moreover, takes care of weeds and hemp becomes naturally pest resistant.
- Our hemp stalk is in a proper thickness as it becomes thicker than it should normally be if excessive azoth is given.
- Our hemp harvest strategy is planting timely, prior to seed formation, to prevent them to become too coarse.
- The machines used for fiber peeling, cottonization, and pre-carding are developed by ourselves.
What are our hemp blends?
- We blend hemp with organic cotton, recycled polyester, Tencel ™, silk, linen, and wool in varying compositions.
- The knitted qualities we offer are single jersey, rib, interlock, and French terry, and the wovens are poplin, pique, canvas, and twill.
- We are diligent about fabric production, dyeing, and all treatment stages to the same extent. We have been partners with GOTS, OCS, GRS, OEKO-TEX, and Bluesign-certified dye houses for many years.
Feel free to contact sustainability@egedeniztextile.com to know more about Egedeniz Group agricultural and sustainability projects.