Hemp Perspectives

Hemp is the new cotton!

Unlike synthetic fibers, driven by the rise of petrochemicals, plant-based fibers allow for the development of local value chains that rely on structured and efficient agriculture. These fibers can come from dedicated crops (hemp, flax, nettle, etc.), agricultural by-products (cereal straw, rapeseed straw, etc.), or other plant resources, such as grass.

Textile hemp has many advantages for the production of high-quality textiles. The geographic location and pedoclimatic conditions of Wallonia make it an ideal place for its cultivation. The growing interest in plant fibers other than cotton among the general public presents a real opportunity for local economic development and more environmentally friendly practices. Indeed, unlike cotton, hemp does not require much water to thrive and needs no products (fertilizers, pesticides) to maintain its health. Hemp has proven to be a comfortable and durable textile.

What if it’s time to give textile hemp the recognition it deserves by using it as a raw material for Walloon fashion and design creations?

A competition, a developing sector, fabrics, and ideas
The "Hemp Perspectives" competition, initiated by Valbiom and co-organized with Wallonie Design, is part of the effort to develop a local textile hemp sector and promote eco-design. This competition is open for two categories of "textile hemp" fabrics:

• Category 1

  : Hemp 160, bleached fabric weighing 160 g/m²

• Category 2

  : Hemp 540, unbleached and stonewashed fabric weighing 540 g/m²

More information on the fabrics is available in our dedicated article: 100% Hemp Threads for Fabrics with Remarkable Properties.

The competition invites candidates to propose a prototype intended for commercialization in one or both categories, following the principles of eco-design. Eco-design is the commitment to creating products that respect the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection, minimizing the use of non-renewable resources, preferring renewable resources exploited in line with their renewal rate, and promoting waste valorization that encourages reuse, repair, and recycling.

Each category will have a winner, who will receive 40 meters of the fabric corresponding to their project, as well as visibility during an event in Namur on Thursday, May 22, 2025 (save the date!) and on social media.