HEMP industry stakes global claim at EIHA’s record-breaking Berlin conference
The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) recently concluded its 22nd Annual Conference in Berlin, marking a significant milestone for the hemp industry with record attendance and amplified international engagement. Hosted at the Dorint Kurfürstendamm over two days in mid-June, the event underscored hemp’s emerging influence across a range of sectors, from agriculture and textiles to construction and CBD markets, while spotlighting the critical intersection of policy, innovation, and global collaboration.
Central to the discussions was Germany’s progressive stance on hemp regulation, which many industry stakeholders view as a bellwether for broader European Union policy reforms. Germany’s moves toward a more defined legislative framework hold significant implications for cultivation standards, product regulation, and cross-border trade within the EU, reflecting a growing political recognition of hemp’s economic and environmental potential. This regulatory evolution dovetails with intensified EU focus on sustainability, innovation, and the Green Deal’s objectives, positioning hemp as a pivotal element in Europe’s bioeconomy transition.
The conference agenda embraced a comprehensive, multi-sector approach. Experts presented advancements in hemp breeding and agricultural practices aimed at improving crop yields and resilience, essential for meeting the rising demand. Meanwhile, sessions on fibre and textiles highlighted technological progress in extraction methods, reinforcing hemp’s standing as a credible sustainable raw material capable of displacing conventional fibres in fashion and industrial applications. The construction sector also featured prominently, with hempcrete and other bio-based materials showcased for their promise in reducing carbon footprints. Recent studies underline hemp’s substantial carbon sequestration capacity, absorbing between 7 and 9.6 tons of CO2 equivalents annually, establishing it as not only a sustainable alternative but a potential carbon sink. These findings lend scientific weight to hemp’s role in climate-conscious building practices.
The event also addressed industry-wide challenges such as the need for scalable processing infrastructure and integrated supply chains. Discussions unveiled strategic priorities to enhance commercialisation and investment, ensuring hemp’s value chain maturation. On the regulatory front, panels tackled the complexities of Europe’s CBD market, scrutinising evolving safety standards, authorisation processes, and public perception—issues critical to fostering consumer trust and market growth.
Global perspectives enriched the conference, with speakers from North America, Asia, and Africa sharing insights on regulatory trends and market development. This international dimension highlighted the necessity for harmonised standards and co-operative frameworks across borders, a vision the EIHA is advancing through the newly launched Federation of Hemp Organisations. This federation aims to unify national associations and streamline the global hemp supply chain, maximising the crop’s economic, social, and environmental benefits worldwide.
Beyond the presentations, the Experience Hemp exhibitor space offered participants a tactile engagement with innovative products spanning cosmetics, nutrition, construction, and fibre. This dynamic showcase attracted a sophisticated audience including investors, scientists, and commercial buyers keen on next-generation bio-based solutions, reflecting the sector’s rapid diversification and commercial maturity.
The annual EIHA General Meeting convened as a strategic core, enabling members to shape the association’s policy agenda amidst a swiftly changing landscape. The presence of European Commission representatives and national agricultural ministries signified institutional endorsement and heightened interest in leveraging hemp within Europe’s sustainable growth frameworks.
Lorenza Romanese, EIHA Managing Director, encapsulated the sector’s trajectory: “We’re seeing real momentum—not just from within the hemp community, but from policymakers and industries looking for credible green alternatives. This conference proves hemp is no longer on the periphery—it’s becoming central to Europe’s bioeconomy.”
The Berlin conference thus closed on a note of optimism and ambition, emphasising hemp not simply as a crop but as a catalyst for innovation, environmental stewardship, and economic regeneration across Europe and beyond. It set the stage for a future where hemp’s versatile applications drive sustainable development agendas and create new opportunities for associations, trade bodies, and industries aligned with green growth.
For organisations serving the hemp community, these developments affirm the importance of active participation in policy discourse, investment in value chain infrastructure, and fostering international partnerships to fully harness hemp’s potential.