You are here
Home > News > Hemp Bobsled and Luge Tracks Debut at Winter Olympics in Beijing |

Hemp Bobsled and Luge Tracks Debut at Winter Olympics in Beijing |

You need another reason why hemp is a viable source of sustainable fiber? It is being used at the Winter Olympics Beijing 2022 as a reinforcement for the bobsled track and luge. Olympic Games Beijing 2022 started on February 4th with the opening ceremonies. It will last until February 20th.

Reports indicate that the plans have been in motion for some while. Canadian Greenfield Technologies in Calgary (Alberta) began to deliver over 60,000 pounds NForce Fiber during the Winter Olympics.

CGT announced the plan back on May 9, 2018 in a press release, describing the properties of the NForce-Fiber®, which is being used to strengthen concrete used in bobsled and luge tracks. This is the Vancouver SunAccording to reports, it is more efficient than concrete and plastic fibers in concrete. This has been something that cannabis advocates have claimed for quite some time. 

“A unique product world-wide, NForce-Fiber® demonstrated its high performance in numerous applications requiring concrete with superior integrity and surface quality. It has been specified for this project by an international team of engineering and construction experts,” CGT stated.

The company continued, “NForce-Fiber® is a unique, high-performance, concrete reinforcement fiber manufactured from the world’s strongest and most durable natural fiber—industrial hemp fiber. Tested and verified by independent, world renowned concrete experts, NForce-Fiber® is ASTM/CSA compliant and has been featured in Shotcrete magazine, the leading publication of the shotcrete industry.”

A large amount of hemp fibers from Calgary were sent by the company to be used as concrete strengthening material. Hemp Industry DailyFirst reported in February.

Hemp-derived fiber is also sold by the company for projects that require sprayed concrete. Shotcrete uses the fibers to strengthen concrete. Greenfield Technologies offers consumer products made from hemp, including cat litter and hemp-derived potting dirt.

CGT’s hemp-products business was sold to HEMPALTA on February 1. HEMPALTA is a newly-formed Calgary-based company. CGT keeps its proprietary fiber processing equipment and NForce Fiber products. Darren Bondar (ex-CEO of Spirit Holdings Ltd. cannabis retailer) will be leading the company.

In general, CGT processes hemp using its HempTrain™ Advanced Processing System— a complete, whole plant hemp processing solution. The company’s machines are capable of separating baled hemp straw, round or square, fresh/green or dry, into high-volume, high-value products, according to the website. It also has a Hemp Bale Processor, which was specifically designed to fit the needs of this particular plant.

Hemp is a fiber

Hemp has many uses, including as fuel, fiber and food. Strong structures from hemp could become the next eco-conscious building. Chronic NewsIn the past, it was reported. Although hempcrete sounds exciting, mainstream building projects will not be able to use it. Hempcrete is not feasible for many projects due to high costs and regulatory restrictions. It will therefore remain an expensive niche alternative for sustainability. Hempcrete is unlikely to be used in rebuilding projects, whether they are underway here or abroad. 

The cost of domestic hemp is typically between $100 and $200 per square meter depending on where it’s grown. You can make your own hempcrete out of unprocessed raw hurds. However, this is not an option for everyone.

In addition, cannabinoid testing and the hemp’s exclusion from some building codes makes it a challenge, not to mention crop testing and the THC threshold hemp must abide by. 

Top