Study Finds Hemp Is An Eco-Friendly Alternative For Dye Removal

The textile industry often uses toxic chemicals to prepare fabric, especially in fabric dyeing and finishing processes. Industrial dyes, which can create environmental issues, are commonly used because of their intense coloration properties and durability.

A team of researchers affiliated with the University of Banja Luka, the University of Belgrade, and the University of Niš recently collaborated on a study examining if hemp could be used as an effective, eco-friendly alternative for dye removal as a biosorbent for removing Congo Red (CR) and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) from wastewater. The study’s findings were published in the academic journal Coatings.

“Due to their toxicity and resistance to degradation, synthetic dyes pose significant environmental challenges, impairing the esthetic quality of aquatic ecosystems, reducing light penetration, inhibiting photosynthesis in algae and plants, and entering the food chain, potentially causing toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity.” the researchers pointed out.

“Batch tests were performed in aqueous solutions of CR and RBBR (50–750 mg/L) at an unadjusted pH of 5 under static conditions with magnetic stirring (300 rpm). All experiments were conducted in triplicate, and the results were statistically processed, with the standard error of the mean (SEM) calculated using Microsoft Excel.” the researchers stated about their methodology.

“Unmodified industrial hemp demonstrates moderate but practically relevant adsorption capacities for Congo Red (Q_max = 4.47 mg/g) and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (Q_max = 2.44 mg/g). While these values are lower than specialized adsorbents, hemp offers compelling sustainable advantages as a renewable agricultural byproduct. Compared to other farm residues, raw hemp offers superior structural integrity and stability in aqueous systems, along with native -OH/-COOH functional groups enabling chemical-free dye binding. Versus processed adsorbents, it provides significant cost and energy savings and lower CO₂ emissions due to eliminated activation requirements.” the study’s authors wrote.

“This molecular-level understanding highlights the critical roles of cellulose’s hydroxyl groups and lignin’s aromatic domains in enabling distinct binding modes. Such insights pave the way for the targeted optimization of biosorbents for specific pollutant classes, advancing the development of cost-effective and sustainable water treatment solutions.” the researchers concluded.

During a recent presentation at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin by leading international cannabis industry economist, Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, provided data demonstrating that the value of the global industrial hemp industry could be $456.2 billion.

Hemp being increasingly used for bioremediation and other sustainability practices would further bolster the international hemp market’s potential, including the use of hemp as a biosorbent for removing toxic dye chemicals from wastewater.