Hemp-reinforced bobsleigh and luge tracks make debut at Beijing Winter Olympics |

Need another reason to switch to hemp as a sustainable fiber source? The system is currently being used at the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China, to reinforce the luge and bobsleigh tracks. The Beijing 2022 Olympic Games began with the opening ceremony on February 4 and will last until February 20.

The plan has reportedly been in the works for some time. Almost four years ago, Calgary, Alberta-based fabricator Canadian Greenfield Technologies (CGT) in Canada began shipping over 60,000 pounds of its NForce fiber for use on luge and bobsleigh tracks during the Beijing Winter Olympics.

CGT’s move at the Winter Olympics has implications for the utility of hemp fiber in future industrial projects. “Undoubtedly, the use of a highly technological hemp-based product in such a high-profile project brings awareness to the tremendous potential of industrial hemp,” CGT vice president and general manager told the High Times.

CGT previously announced the plan on May 9, 2018 in a press release detailing the properties of NForce-Fiber®, which is used to reinforce concrete for bobsleigh and luge tracks. The Vancouver Sun reports that it has proven superior to plastic and fiberglass in concrete, something cannabis advocates have been claiming for some time.

“As a globally unique product, NForce-Fiber® has proven its high performance in numerous applications that require concrete with excellent integrity and surface quality. It was specified for this project by an international team of engineering and construction experts,” explained CGT.

The company continued, “NForce-Fiber® is a unique, high-performance concrete reinforcement fiber made from the world’s strongest and most durable natural fiber – industrial hemp fiber. NForce-Fiber® has been independently tested and verified by world-renowned concrete experts, is ASTM/CSA compliant and has been featured in Shotcrete Magazine, the shotcrete industry’s premier publication.”

The Calgary-based company sent a large quantity of its hemp fiber product to be used as a replacement for plastic fibers in concrete reinforcement, Hemp Industry Daily first reported in early February.

The company also sells hemp-derived fibers for outdoor construction projects that use shotcrete or shotcrete, as the fibers reinforce the concrete. Greenfield Technologies also manufactures consumer hemp products such as kitty litter and hemp-derived potting soil.

On February 1st, CGT sold its hemp products business to HEMPALTA, a newly formed Calgary-based company. CGT retains its NForce Fiber products and business selling proprietary fiber processing equipment. Darren Bondar, former CEO of cannabis retailer Spirit Holdings Ltd., will lead the company.

Generally, CGT processes hemp with its HempTrain™ Advanced Processing System – a total hemp processing solution for the whole plant. According to the website, the company’s machines are able to separate bales of hemp straw, round or square, fresh/green or dry, into large-volume, high-quality products. The company also uses a specialized hemp bale processor designed specifically to work with the plant.

hemp as fiber

Hemp continues to show diverse uses as a fuel, fiber, and food source. Sturdy structures made from the plant could be the green building of the future, High Times reported in the past. While hempcrete is exciting, it will take some time before it sees mainstream remodeling projects. Costs remain high and regulations prevent hemp from becoming viable for most projects, so it’s likely to remain an expensive niche option for sustainable endeavors. As such, current recovery efforts in the US or elsewhere are unlikely to involve hempcrete.

Domestic hemp typically costs between $100 and $200 per square foot, depending on the company. While you can save money by making your own hempcrete from unprocessed shive, the labor costs and extra hassle often make this option unworthy of most.

Additionally, cannabinoid testing and hemp’s exclusion from some building codes make it a challenge, not to mention harvest testing and the THC limit hemp must meet.