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Glossary

Hempcrete

A building material made from hemp shiv, lime and water — light, insulating and breathable.

Hempcrete is made from just three ingredients: hemp shiv, lime and water. Despite that simplicity it performs well as a building material — light, breathable and a good insulator, keeping interiors cool in summer and warm in winter.

The lime binder continues to absorb CO₂ as it cures. A well-built wall can therefore lock away more carbon over its life than was emitted making it, while resisting fire, pests and damp for centuries.

It is not a structural material on its own: hempcrete fills and insulates within a frame rather than carrying load.

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