WICHITA FALLS – Panda Biotech has completed the construction and commissioning of the Panda High Plains Hemp Gin in Texas with the capacity to process ten metric tons of industrial hemp for textiles and nonwovens every hour.

In addition it will produce hurd, short-fibre hurd mix and a nutrient-rich co-product that will be pelletized. The facility is expected to be the largest hemp decortication centre in the Western Hemisphere and among the largest in the world.

“Each piece of the Panda Hemp Gin production line, including the three miles of overhead pneumatic duct lines, refining, blending, mechanical cottonization, hurd bagging and baling must be individually started, checked, balanced, and commissioned,” says Panda Biotech executive vice president Scott Evans. “Currently, all equipment is individually being brought online to be officially placed in service.”

Using only renewable energy sources, the engineering and production process at the Panda Hemp Gin has been certified green by Mid-South Engineering Company, in accordance with the International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles. Panda Biotech has also partnered with Oritain, a scientific traceability company, to bring the most traceable hemp grown 100% in the United States to market.

Additionally, Panda Biotech is actively signing contracts with producers to grow the hemp feedstock for the 2024 growing season, as well as purchasing hemp fibre that has already been harvested or processed. The company recently unveiled a pay-to-grow programme for producers to begin growing Panda hemp. With up-front, guaranteed money and agronomy support, Panda producers also receive tested and proven seed at no cost, successfully mitigating the risk producers may assume and underscoring Panda’s commitment and promise to the farming community.

The benefits of growing hemp are substantial, as it is an excellent rotational crop that remediates the soil and provides a competitive margin.