The center, located in Corvallis, is one of the leading research centers in the U.S. for industrial hemp. The center has a long history of research and development in the field, with a focus on developing sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. The new funding will allow the center to expand its research efforts and explore new applications for industrial hemp.

This market has been growing steadily, with sales exceeding $1 billion in 2020. The 2018 Farm Bill also paved the way for hemp-derived products like CBD-infused edibles, topicals, and beverages. The rise of hemp-derived products has been fueled by several factors, including:

The research team will use hemp biomass to create biodegradable and compostable packing products, including nursery pots, fresh produce boxes and takeout containers; building materials for use in housing construction; and plant-based food and beverage products made from hemp grain. “The goal of this research is to develop multiple product streams from hemp with no remaining waste, just as has been successfully done by the cotton, corn and timber industries,” Steiner said. “Having uses for all the byproducts of the plant will increase crop production marketing options for farmers and help support creation of new job opportunities in the domestic biobased economy.”

Funding for this new research partnership is part of more than $26 million the USDA has awarded to Oregon State in recent years for hemp research.