A long-standing bottleneck restricting the upgrading of China's Lyocell fiber industry is being broken. On June 17, 2026, a project on key technologies and industrialization of high-quality hemp pulp and hemp Lyocell fiber passed a scientific appraisal, reaching an international advanced level. The preparation technology for hemp dissolving pulp and Lyocell fiber was rated as world-leading, marking a substantial step in diversifying Lyocell fiber raw materials.
Industry Significance of Raw Material Diversification
Lyocell fiber is hailed as the green fiber of the 21st century, but China's Lyocell industry has long suffered from a structural weakness: over-reliance on imported wood pulp. This single-source raw material structure makes the supply chain vulnerable and limits product differentiation. The project directly targets this pain point by using waste hemp stalks and skins from seed hemp to produce high-quality dissolving pulp, providing technical support for building a diversified domestic pulp system.
From an industrial perspective, hemp is a biomass resource with a short growth cycle, strong adaptability, and high cellulose content. Converting waste hemp stalks into high-value dissolving pulp not only solves the raw material problem but also achieves high-value utilization of low-value hemp resources. This is not a simple technological overlay but a reshaping of the entire Lyocell industry chain—reducing dependence on imported wood pulp while offering downstream textiles more distinctive raw material options.
Technological Breakthrough and Industrialization
The project was jointly completed by eight institutions, including the China Textile Academy, Taiyuan University of Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, and enterprises like Shanxi Greenland Textile and Shanxi RSG Textile Technology. The technological innovations focus on four areas: efficient separation of hemp components and high-quality dissolving pulp preparation, evaluation methods and strengthening technologies for hemp-based pulp swelling and dissolution, dissolution viscosity reduction and tension-adjustable preparation technologies for hemp Lyocell fiber, and preparation and performance control of multi-functional hemp Lyocell fibers.
From lab to production line, the project successfully achieved industrialization of low-value hemp raw materials into high-quality hemp pulp and hemp Lyocell short fibers. The products have stable performance and are already used in apparel and home textiles. This means Lyocell fiber, which previously relied heavily on imported wood pulp, now has a comparable domestic alternative. For buyers, this directly translates to improved supply chain security and potential cost advantages.
Impact on Downstream Procurement and Foreign Trade
For downstream textile companies, the industrialization of hemp-based Lyocell fiber brings several direct changes. First, raw material supply stability improves. Imported wood pulp prices are volatile, while scaled production of domestic hemp pulp could form a price anchor, reducing external market shocks. Second, product differentiation opportunities expand. Due to hemp's inherent properties, hemp-based Lyocell fibers may offer better moisture absorption, breathability, and natural antibacterial qualities, creating new selling points for home textiles, underwear, and sportswear.
Foreign trade enterprises should also pay attention to this trend. Demand for sustainable fibers continues to grow in European and American markets. Lyocell fiber already has advantages in environmental certifications due to its closed-loop production and biodegradability. Hemp-based Lyocell adds the low-carbon story of agricultural waste reuse, making it more attractive to brand owners. However, from technical appraisal to large-scale commercial rollout still takes time; companies should proactively connect with upstream suppliers for trials and certification.