Dallas-based Panda Biotech is establishing the largest and most state-of-the-art industrial hemp processing centre in the United States at Wichita Falls, Texas. The Panda Texas Plains Hemp Gin will also be the first facility in the country to cottonise hemp fibre on a commercial scale for the American textile industry and export customers.
In addition, Panda Biotech’s Hemp Gin is likely the only facility in the world dedicated to both the processing and cottonisation of hemp fibre in industrial quantities outside of the People’s Republic of China.Dallas-based Panda Biotech is establishing the largest and most state-of-the-art industrial hemp processing centre in the United States at Wichita Falls, Texas. The Panda Texas Plains Hemp Gin will also be the first facility in the country to cottonise hemp fibre on a commercial scale for the American textile industry and export customers.#
The world-class facility will position Texas — and the United States — as a globally recognised leader in the processing of sustainable hemp fibre and hurd for industrial applications. Panda Biotech has contracted for a 500,000 square foot facility and surrounding 97-acre campus that was formerly the home of General Motors’ Delphi assembly plant.
The company plans to install the largest industrial hemp decorticating, or processing, equipment ever used to separate the outer bast fibre from the inner woody core, or hurd. Panda Biotech’s top mechanical engineers worked with a leading international equipment manufacturer to “super-size” their existing line of decorticators. At full production, the two 10-ton/hour decorticators are expected to process close to 300 million pounds of Texas-grown industrial hemp per year. The fibre will be refined for textile applications, and the hurd will be processed for a variety of industrial purposes. Panda estimates the two decortication lines will generate approximately $30,000,000 per year for Texas farmers.
The first processing line is currently being manufactured and is on schedule for delivery in December 2020. Panda Biotech expects its Wichita Falls facility to commence partial operations in first quarter of 2021 and both lines to be fully operational by first quarter if 2022. Panda will fill contracts with Texas agricultural producers in the region for the 2021 growing season.
The Panda Texas Plains Hemp Gin represents a significant advancement in the domestic supply chain for textile-grade hemp fibre as it is the first and only facility in the United States dedicated to both the decortication and degumming, or cottonisation, of hemp fibre on a commercial scale. The "cottonisation" process removes the lignin that binds hemp fibres together in bundles and “opens” them for further refinement. Once "cottonised," the hemp fibre is ready to be seamlessly blended with other natural or man-made fibres — such as cotton, silk, wool and polyester — and spun into yarns that will be knit or woven into fabric.
Panda Biotech has successfully cottonised hemp fibre decorticated on smaller versions of the equipment to be installed later this year on its Wichita Falls campus. The fibree was subsequently spun into yarn, knit into fabric, printed, and cut and sewn into fully finished, high-end apparel.
The company is working with a number of well-known brands to develop yarn blends in multiple counts, from 8s to 40s, for sustainable and innovative textiles that will use Panda Biotech’s proprietary cottonisation process. Panda is also in discussions with industry leaders in the construction and composite sectors for the purchase of hurd.
At full production, Panda Biotech expects its Wichita Falls facility to annually produce more than 35 million pounds of apparel-grade, cottonised hemp fibre suitable for use in a variety of yarns for knit and woven textiles.
Several unnamed cities vied for the opportunity to be the home of the Panda Texas Plains Hemp Gin facility. Panda Biotech made the award to Wichita Falls based on an available outstanding facility, the city’s geographical location, access to highly experienced Texas producers, an excellent workforce, a low cost of living and pro-business community. On July 7, the Wichita Falls City Council unanimously approved an incentive package to attract Panda Biotech to the city.
“After conducting a state-wide search of potential buildings, in addition to meeting with officials in various cities, we selected Wichita Falls as the perfect location for Panda Biotech’s flagship hemp processing centre,” said Scott Evans, executive vice president of Panda Biotech. “The facility we’re moving into boasts 11 acres under roof and enough land to allow for expansion into strategic, new business endeavours that Panda is planning.”
“Panda Biotech’s vision for the industrial hemp industry is unparalleled, and we’re ready to partner with them to build something extraordinary,” said Henry Florsheim, president and CEO of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce. “This project will have a tremendous impact on our agricultural community and our manufacturing sector at a time when many communities are struggling with economic development. With Panda’s efforts and our support, Wichita Falls will become the worldwide epicentre of industrial hemp research, processing and product development.”
Hemp is widely regarded as the most green and sustainable crop on the planet. Hemp requires 70 per cent less water than most major crops used in the manufacture of textiles. In addition, hemp requires very little herbicides, fungicides or pesticides, and has significant soil remediation qualities. Industrial hemp agriculture has been scientifically proven to minimise carbon dioxide emissions, absorbing more CO2 per acre than any forest or commercial crop. Industrial hemp used for manufacturing applications is highly valued for its natural durability and environmental sustainability. The processed fibre, hurd and cellulose from industrial hemp can be used in the production of a multitude of products including textiles, a wide array of building materials, paper products, automotive components, nanomaterials, composites and bioplastics.
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