Hahnemühle launches first hemp paper for digital book printing

The paper was developed exclusively for printing H is for HEMP
The paper was developed exclusively for printing H is for HEMP

German paper manufacturer Hahnemühle has launched what it claims is the world’s first hybrid printing paper made from hemp fibres.

The business presented the new uncoated paper for book and brochure printing at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2021 last month. It is designed for high-speed inkjet, analogue offset and other flexible digital printing systems.

Heidemarie Hinger, product and business development manager at Hahnemühle, said: “It is the first paper made from sustainable hemp fibres grown in Europe for environmentally conscious print products. It captivates with the authenticity and haptics of a paper made from sustainable hemp fibres.

“Hahnemühle hemp paper delivers outstanding results in text, photo and image printing for authors, agencies, print providers and publishers.”

The paper was developed exclusively for printing the book H is for HEMP, a hemp encyclopaedia by photographer and author Maren Krings.

She said: “With my worldwide photo documentation and research on hemp, I want to encourage people to leave their comfort zone and get involved in proactive problem solving of our socio-ecological crisis.

“Finding a hemp paper to print my book was part of my commitment to make my own work more sustainable and to use hemp wherever possible.

“Hahnemühle’s hemp paper exceeded my expectations, offering a beautiful tactile and sensory experience and giving the book a fresh and completely new look. At the same time, it closes the loop of protecting native forests and finding alternative raw materials for papermaking.”

The hemp paper is produced with pure spring water which Hahnemühle has used since its inception at its sole production facility in a natural reserve. The water is fed into the nearby river following a largely closed paper machine cycle, free from chemical cleaning agents, biocides, or preservatives.

The energy used for manufacturing comes exclusively from 100% renewable sources.

The hemp paper is acid-free, vegan and available in 280gsm and 80gsm grammages and in rolls up to 50 inches. Hahnemühle said it is suitable for HP Indigo sheetfed digital presses and HP PageWide web presses.

Headquartered in Dassel, Southern Lower Saxony, Hahnemühle also has offices in the UK, France, the US, Singapore and China. The company has been producing paper since 1584 and its portfolio also includes traditional and digital FineArt papers for painting and printing, and FineNotes stationery products.