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Abstract

A method for producing environmentally friendly, coextruded hemp composite board (CHB) is provided. By using hemp fiber and hemp hurd in combination with virgin and/or recycled thermoplastics, the system and method may be used to create environmentally sound substitutes for traditional construction materials. The method generally comprises steps of obtaining hemp hurd/fiber and injecting said hemp hurd/fiber into an extruder along with a thermoplastic binder. Waste products from other production streams may be added as well to reduce waste/cost of said production streams. The resulting CHB is structurally superior to traditional construction materials largely due to the dispersed hemp hurd and hemp fiber, their encapsulation in a binder material and lower hygroscopic properties. Additionally, since the CHB is created using an extruder, a downstream extrusion arrangement may be used to mold the CHB into shapes that are difficult to achieve with traditional construction materials.

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First Claim