Spain and Portugal have initiated a joint project, HEMPVALUE, aimed at establishing a comprehensive industrial hemp value chain across the Iberian Peninsula. This initiative seeks to develop a range of applications for industrial hemp, fostering new economic opportunities in rural regions and aligning with broader European Union sustainability goals.
Led by the Center for Scientific and Technological Research (CICYTEX) in Spain’s Extremadura region, the HEMPVALUE project brings together regional authorities, research institutions, and technology centers from Extremadura and the Portuguese regions of Alentejo and Centro. The project’s organizers state that it supports complete utilization of the hemp crop, contributing to renewable materials, waste reduction, and low-carbon industrial systems.
HEMPVALUE Project Scope and Objectives
The HEMPVALUE initiative is a three-year program, running through 2028, with a budget exceeding €1.3 million under the EU-backed POCTEP territorial cooperation framework. Its broad scope addresses the entire industrial hemp value chain, from cultivation and varietal testing to industrial processing for commercial applications. Key areas of focus include:
- Material Development: Research into bioplastics, materials for 3D-printing, and construction products.
- Energy Solutions: Exploration of hemp byproducts for biogas and pellet production.
- Nutritional Applications: Investigation into hemp grain for food and animal feed.
- Agronomic Research: Testing of different hemp varieties suitable for the region.
This project represents a concerted effort by institutions to integrate industrial hemp into strategies for sustainability, rural development, and the circular economy.
Historical Context and Current Status in Iberia
Spain has previously supported industrial hemp through regional innovation and research programs, particularly in Extremadura. One notable earlier effort was a 2020 initiative by the National Agri-Food Technology Center of Extremadura (CTAEX) and Bhalutek Hemp. This work later evolved into a “Hemp Technology Pole,” focusing on research, agronomic development, training, and institutional coordination around industrial hemp.
Currently, industrial hemp activity in both Spain and Portugal remains modest compared to larger European producers like France. Publicly available figures for Spain suggest cultivation areas have been below 500 hectares in recent years, with a peak reported in 2020. Most activity involves experimental cultivation, seed production, cannabinoid extraction, small-scale fiber initiatives, and research projects. Interest in hemp construction materials, such as hempcrete, has seen slow but steady growth, with several pilot projects emerging.
In Portugal, cultivation statistics are also limited and inconsistent. The General Directorate for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) reported approximately 68 hectares planted in 2023, with projections suggesting an expansion to nearly 500 hectares by 2025. Operators in Spain continue to report challenges related to regulatory uncertainty, including licensing interpretation and the overlap between industrial hemp and cannabis controls.
Cross-Border Collaboration
The HEMPVALUE project brings together seven institutions from Spain and Portugal, pooling expertise in agronomy, materials science, energy, and industrial applications. The consortium includes:
- CICYTEX (Spain)
- CTAEX (Spain)
- INTROMAC (Spain)
- Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre (Portugal)
- Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (Portugal)
- Institute for Research and Technological Development in Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability (ITECONS) in Coimbra (Portugal)
- CENTIMFE, Portugal’s technology center for molds, tooling, and plastics (Portugal)
This collaboration aims to overcome regional fragmentation and build a more robust, integrated industrial hemp value chain across the two countries.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.