Chris Jay

Volkswagen is looking to industrial hemp as a sustainable alternative to leather and petroleum-based synthetic materials, potentially putting hemp-based interiors into production vehicles from 2028. The automotive industry is undergoing a major transformation. Electric vehicles, renewable energy and recyclable components are changing the way cars are designed and manufactured. Now, one of the world's biggest automotive manufacturers is looking at an unlikely material to help reshape the car interior: industrial hemp. Volkswagen has partnered with German start-up Revoltech GmbH to develop a new hemp-based surface material that could be used in Volkswagen vehicles from 2028. The development represents an important step in the growing use of hemp as an industrial material, moving the plant far beyond its traditional associations with textiles, food and cannabis. From leather to hemp Volkswagen's project is focused on developing an alternative to imitation leather rather than simply replacing traditional animal leather with another synthetic material. The material, called LOVR™, stands for Leather-free, Oil-free, Vegan and Residue-based. It is being developed using industrial hemp fibres and a fully bio-based adhesive. Volkswagen says the material is made from residues generated by the regional hemp industry, including hemp cultivated for the food industry. That approach is particularly interesting because the hemp being used is industrial hemp, not high-THC cannabis. Industrial hemp varieties can be cultivated for fibre, seeds, food and other industrial applications. The hemp fibres are processed into a single-layer surface material designed specifically for automotive applications. The result is intended to provide the appearance and functionality required for vehicle interiors while reducing dependence on conventional petroleum-based materials. Why is Volkswagen interested in hemp? Modern vehicle interiors contain a surprising amount of synthetic material. Seats, door panels, dashboards, headliners and other surfaces can involve plastics, synthetic leather, foams, adhesives and composite materials. Finding alternatives is therefore an important part of reducing the environmental footprint of vehicle manufacturing. Hemp has several characteristics that make it attractive for industrial applications. The plant produces strong fibres and can be used to create a wide range of materials. In the Volkswagen-Revoltech project, the emphasis is particularly interesting because the raw material can come from hemp-processing residues that might otherwise have limited value. Rather than growing a crop specifically to manufacture car seats, the concept aims to make use of material already generated by the hemp industry. Volkswagen says the material can also be manufactured using existing industrial production facilities, potentially allowing it to be scaled without building an entirely new manufacturing infrastructure. A material designed for the circular economy Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the project is what happens to the material at the end of a vehicle's life. According to Volkswagen, the hemp-based material is designed to be recyclable or compostable once it reaches the end of its useful life in an automobile. This is significant because the automotive industry is increasingly looking beyond simply reducing emissions during vehicle operation. Manufacturers are also examining the environmental impact of raw materials, manufacturing, vehicle use and disposal. A material that can potentially return to a biological cycle rather than becoming another difficult-to-recycle composite could therefore have advantages beyond its initial production. Volkswagen is not simply replacing animal leather It would be easy to describe the project as "Volkswagen replacing leather with hemp", but that is not quite what the company has announced. Volkswagen's current development is specifically positioned as a substitute for imitation leather, while the company describes the hemp material as a leather alternative for future interiors. That distinction matters. Synthetic leather, often called vegan leather or leatherette, can be made from petroleum-derived plastics such as polyurethane or PVC. While these materials avoid animal products, they do not necessarily solve all of the environmental problems associated with conventional synthetic materials. LOVR is intended to offer another pathway: a bio-based, vegan and potentially circular material derived from industrial hemp. Could hemp become a major automotive material? Volkswagen's announcement could have implications well beyond Volkswagen itself. The global automotive industry is constantly looking for materials that are lighter, more sustainable, cost-effective and scalable. If hemp-based materials can meet automotive requirements for durability, abrasion resistance, appearance, safety, temperature stability and long-term performance, manufacturers could potentially use them in everything from seating surfaces to door panels and other interior components. Volkswagen says the material has already received positive feedback in customer surveys and that potential vehicle applications are being investigated with its development teams. The company has identified 2028 as a potential starting point for use in vehicle projects. However, this does not mean every Volkswagen vehicle will have hemp interiors in 2028. The company's announcement describes 2028 as a potential introduction point for the technology rather than a commitment to eliminate conventional materials across its entire vehicle range. Hemp's automotive history is already established Interestingly, hemp is not completely new to the automotive industry. Hemp fibre has been used in automotive composite materials for years, particularly in Europe. Natural fibres can be incorporated into panels and other components because they can offer useful strength-to-weight characteristics while reducing reliance on conventional petroleum-derived materials. What makes the Volkswagen-Revoltech project different is its focus on creating a visible surface material that can serve as an alternative to leather or synthetic leather. That brings hemp directly into one of the most noticeable areas of a vehicle: the interior. Imagine opening the door of a future Volkswagen and sitting on a material that looks and feels similar to premium leather, but is made primarily from agricultural hemp residues. That is the possibility Volkswagen is now investigating. The bigger opportunity for industrial hemp The Volkswagen project also demonstrates why the future of hemp may extend far beyond CBD, food and traditional textiles. Industrial hemp can potentially supply raw materials for construction, packaging, insulation, textiles, bioplastics, composites and automotive components. The automotive sector is particularly important because it operates at enormous scale. If a material is adopted by a major global manufacturer, demand for its raw materials could increase dramatically. That could create new opportunities for farmers, processors and manufacturers involved in the industrial hemp supply chain. It also demonstrates the potential value of hemp waste and by-products. Instead of viewing agricultural residues as waste, companies can increasingly treat them as valuable feedstocks for new products. What happens next? Volkswagen and Revoltech still have development work to complete before the material becomes a mainstream automotive product. Automotive materials must satisfy demanding requirements. They need to withstand years of use, temperature changes, sunlight, friction and repeated cleaning. They also need to meet strict safety and manufacturing requirements. The fact that Volkswagen is investigating the material for potential vehicle projects from 2028 nevertheless represents a significant milestone. The company says the material can be produced using existing industrial plants, which could help with scalability if testing and development are successful. The road to 2028 The move towards hemp-based vehicle interiors is part of a much larger transformation taking place in manufacturing. For decades, the automobile industry has relied heavily on petroleum-derived plastics, synthetic fabrics and animal-based materials. Today, manufacturers are looking for alternatives that can reduce environmental impacts without compromising quality. Hemp offers an intriguing combination of properties: it is renewable, produces useful fibres, can generate valuable agricultural by-products and can potentially be incorporated into recyclable or compostable materials. Volkswagen's collaboration with Revoltech demonstrates that industrial hemp is increasingly being considered not simply as an agricultural crop, but as a high-value industrial feedstock. By 2028, Volkswagen could potentially be putting hemp-based surface materials into some of its vehicles. That does not mean the end of leather or synthetic materials overnight. But it could mark the beginning of a much bigger shift. The next time you sit inside a Volkswagen, the material covering the seat or door panel could have started life not in a leather tannery or petrochemical plant, but in a field of industrial hemp. And that could be one of the most interesting developments yet in the modern hemp revolution.

Hey @Woz Just firing off a welcome note to you, its been over 15 years and good to see you getting back into cannabis growing. Welcome to 420sa.co.za, its a lekker site with a growing future.

That’s a solid point. A lot of people still only look at THC and CBD, but the cannabinoid profile really changes the experience and therapeutic potential. THC-P definitely opened some eyes because of how strongly it interacts with CB1 receptors, although the potency also means people need to be careful with dosage and tolerance. I also think one of the most overlooked things is how cannabis works as a whole-plant medicine rather than just isolated cannabinoids. The entourage effect between cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and minor compounds seems to make a huge difference for pain, inflammation, anxiety, sleep, and even mood regulation. Sometimes a balanced flower with THC, CBD, CBG, and the right terpene profile works better than blasting high THC alone. CBD is probably still the best entry point for most people because of the safety profile and research backing it, but there’s growing interest in cannabinoids like CBN for sleep, CBG for inflammation and gut health, and THCV for appetite and focus. The science is finally catching up to what a lot of patients and growers have been saying for years. Do you think the future of medical cannabis is going to move more toward personalized cannabinoid + terpene combinations instead of just “high THC” products? And have you noticed certain terpene profiles working better for chronic pain compared to others?

Hey @Luba M There is way to much information. Keep it simple. You can buy full grow kits online, depending on your budget. Personally i would grow limited indoors and flower outdoors currently. A simple mistake is not doing a proper budget, any indoor grow is going to cost you atleast 10K with everything needed to get going.

How Cannabis Grow Licensing Works in South Africa There are three main legal pathways, depending on what you want to grow. Medicinal Cannabis Licence (SAHPRA) — the main commercial route Hemp Permit (Department of Agriculture) — easier but THC-limited Private Personal Grow (No licence) — limited, non-commercial Medicinal Cannabis Licence (SAHPRA) — Main Commercial Route This is the real commercial cultivation licence. Issued by: South African Health Products Regulatory Authority Legal basis: Section 22C(1)(b) of the Medicines Act. This licence allows you to: Cultivate cannabis Manufacture cannabis products Extract cannabinoids Export cannabis Import cannabis products Distribute to licensed channels These activities require a SAHPRA licence before you touch the plant commercially. Step-by-Step — Medicinal Cannabis Grow Licence Step 1 — Build a Compliant Facility (Yes, before approval) You must already have: Secure farm or indoor facility Perimeter security CCTV & access control SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) Quality Management System GACP / GMP readiness Facilities must be available for inspection, not just conceptual. Step 2 — Prepare Documentation Typical submission includes: Site Master File (SMF) Security plan Cultivation SOPs Staff structure Responsible Pharmacist appointment Quality manual Environmental controls plan SAHPRA guidelines specify strict quality and security standards similar to pharmaceutical operations. Step 3 — Submit Application You apply using: Cannabis cultivation licence form Supporting technical documentation Applications are reviewed and inspected before approval. Step 4 — Inspection & Approval SAHPRA will: Inspect your facility Audit procedures Verify security Check quality systems If approved: You receive a Section 22C licence. Typical Real Costs (Industry Reality) Not official figures — but realistic: Facility build: R10M – R40M+ Security: R1M – R5M Consultants & compliance: R1M – R3M Timeline: 12–36 months Many applications fail due to compliance gaps. Hemp Permit — Much Easier Entry Point Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development For: Low-THC hemp (≤0.2–0.3% THC depending on regulation) Fibre Seed Industrial uses This is not medical cannabis. Hemp Permit Basics Requirements: Registered farmland Approved cultivar list THC compliance testing Record keeping Much cheaper and faster than SAHPRA licensing. Personal Cultivation — No Licence Required Allowed since the Constitutional Court ruling. You can: Grow cannabis privately For personal use only Not sell or distribute Commercial sale without a licence remains illegal. What Many People Get Wrong These are common misconceptions: You cannot legally sell cannabis from a normal farm Dispensary licences don’t exist (as most people think) Grow clubs are legally risky You cannot export without SAHPRA licensing Realistic Licensing Strategy (What Serious Operators Do) Typical professional path: Raise capital Secure land Design pharma-grade facility Hire compliance consultants Submit SAHPRA application Build market/export agreements Pass inspection This is why large investors dominate early licences. Key Industry Insight (Based on Real Projects) Most successful SA licences share: Export-first business model Pharmaceutical compliance Dedicated compliance teams Strong funding Small growers usually enter via hemp or partnerships, not solo SAHPRA applications.

Calmag is not necessary for the germination process, air is. Once they germinate and if you planting in soil, calmag can be a top additive to your soil mix.

Very informative information that will improve anyones craft, but its not just about flowering, its also in the curing process. Oxidation and sunlight kill terpenes. In the USA they are very advanced when it comes to even "cold packaging" flowers to stabilise terpenes during the transport processs to the consumer.

Now that cannabis is more decrimanlised there is amazing private research being done. A local researcher has done extensive research on the plant and cancer. i loved the opening of this article: Source: https://news.mandela.ac.za/News/The-potent-power-of-plants-Cannabinoids-for-trea There is alot more to this research paper than I can type right now, but one thing I know is cannabis kills cancer cells. Dont believe the propaganda.

Selling of THC is illegal, no legal frameworks unless you have an export license. There have been recent articles about how SAHPRA and SAPS will be clamping down on the shops, dispensaries and clubs. Already a couple clubs raided in PE, Durban and JHB. Good lawyers on hand do help, but also sad to say our cannabis market is being taken over by gangsters.

I bought an LED light system and got a costume jewelry ladies necklace.

Nice, I am also thinking of popping a couple autos. Need to turn a quick fast crop. Happy growing.

North America is a good market to watch, we usually follow, I think we are seeing the peak of our greenrush. Not all business people are greedy, just like not all Canadians or South Africans, sadly we have an ongoing pandemic called corruption. I hate to say this but tax is not a bad thing to regulate things.

Not really if you look at statistics, the canadian market has data based on this and you will clearly see that the two markets are being brought closer together thanks to legalisation, and harm reduction.

It is a real top cut, was just doing my research on super cheese, have a nug of it to smoke now, and I know its going to be good. Probably so good it might win an award at the 2024 GR cannabis cup.

You should be sorted, hope you get some bonus seeds. Lets us see your grow.

Will followup tomorrow a bit late, but will sort your order out.

Send me an order number and I am sure I can help.

The Garden Route Cannabis Cup & Expo -Celebrating Cannabis Excellence and Cultivating Community – Now including Cape Town & Klein Karoo. Just 6 more days before ALL Garden Route Cannabis Cup submissions must reach us, and for the Judging to begin! Better hurry up! Contact Us to enter. The categories are: Outdoor Indoor Open - hydro/aqua/aeroponic Concentrates Edibles #cannabiscup #cannabisjudges #gardenroutecannabis #cannabischampions #gardenroute #kleinkaroo #capetown https://www.420sa.co.za/topic/7210-garden-route-cannabis-expo/

I am busy building a community garden at a local coffee place. I hear what you mean, and it becomes overwhelming at times. Draw up a business plan, finances, go around to another nurseries to get ideas. One small step at a time.

Howdy @dillipit Welcome to 420sa.

Check out Biltong and Budz for a solid company with wide selection and great service.

One of the pioneers in the cannabis automation industry recently launched a C02 censor to attach to their unit as an addon. Being in the heart of legal cannabis growing and having a commercial product being sold I would think this is a very important part of the concept, however I am not to sure how many people would use CO2 in South Africa.

I think the most reasonable answer would be the loadshedding guy is on holiday. Who the hell knows. I was wondering the other day why e dont stand up and get rebates from eskom for all this downtime. We pay R1200 just as a line fee before anything is used, with loadshedding over the course of the last several months we could be saving atleast R600 for no service, adds up to quite a bit over several months. Because we are rural and eskom does not do maintenance, as soon as wind picks up or big storms we get blackouts for sometimes up to 36 hours or more, god forbid if a transformer shorts then its atleast 36 hours. Anyway, Eskom is just another useless parastatal that does not know its ass from its elbow. I hate calling them with any questions, absolute waste of time. Sad that we have to accept this type of service, but luckily its happened for so long we have had to make other arrangements and use combinations of gas, solar, battery, invertors and fire. Check the link below on its trust rating and reviews. What pisses me off even more is their new rural consultant upgraded his Izuzu bakkie to a Toyota Fortuner in 2 months of work. I love seeing people succeed but this guy could not even pass standard 5 home economics class. https://www.hellopeter.com/eskom