The purpose of the Hemp Special Interest Group (Hemp SIG) is to facilitate connections across the multiple supply chains related to Industrial Hemp, from growing through to final products and markets.
The Hemp SIG is the legacy of the BEIS funded Hemp 30 Project and builds on the Grow Yorkshire commissioned Hemp Supply Chain Study.
The SIG will act as a central hub where interested parties can access the depth and breadth of existing and emerging expertise across disciplines and applications, to form new collaborations, develop products and support the infrastructure required to optimise the growth of the UK Industrial Hemp sector.
The Special Interest Group will:
How to get involved
Join the Hemp Special Interest Group by signing up for BioVale membership and ticking the HempSIG box on the application form.
Membership is free of charge.
Follow this link for more information about BioVale membership and how to sign up.
If you are already a BioVale member please contact us if you would like to join the HempSIG.
Hemp SIG working groups
Representatives are sought to lead and participate in four core working groups:
Whilst these groups will focus on specific supply chain routes, they will also address the cross-cutting challenges to producing high quality hemp biomass e.g. retting, harvesting, and regional processing hubs.
Steering Group
The Special Interest Group will be administrated by BioVale and a Steering Group will collate input from members to determine the overall direction, purpose, and focus.
Steering Group members include:
Helen Shiels, Business Development, The Biorenewables Development Centre
Mark Blakeston, Business Lead, Grow Yorkshire
Caroline Broad, Business Development Manager, Clarion Solicitors
Lucinda Tolhurst, Director, Lucid Insight
Caroline Wilcock, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, BioVale
Launch of the Hemp SIG at the Hemp Happening Event Aprill 2022
The Hemp Happening event, 6th April 2022, saw the launch of the HEMP Special Interest Group. Organised by SCI Agrisciences and BioVale, the event brought together a diverse range of speakers to discuss issues around growing and using industrial hemp; agronomy, genetic improvement, regulation, carbon sequestration, hemp as a functional fibre, processing and commercialisation of hemp.
