Hemp Affair: Leading The Charge In Sustainable Textile Innovation

Moreover, the company distinguishes itself in the textile industry through its unique strengths and innovative approach. The team comprises skilled professionals, merchandisers, and technical experts, and collaborates closely with leading hemp researchers. The company faces significant challenges in cultivating industrial hemp in Uttarakhand due to strict THC content regulations and government restrictions on hemp seed imports to protect local biodiversity. The state's policy imposes heavy excise duties on products exceeding 0.3 percent THC, leading to crop destruction. Despite efforts by industry leaders to propose a revised hemp policy, no progress has been made since 2016.

“The availability of short fibers constrains the manufacturing of hemp yarn in India, necessitating significant expertise and investment to convert it into thread. Overcoming these challenges is essential for industry growth, necessitating increased investment from major players to compete with China's market dominance and foster the development of hemp-based products”, adds Alpana.

However, Hemp Affair adheres to rigorous internal quality control measures while operating on an asset-light model. The company sources high-quality yarn from exclusive partners in China and works with international-standard weavers. Textile experts from Hemp Affair regularly inspect these manufacturing units and provide necessary guidance. The fabric undergoes an azo-free dyeing process, ensuring no harmful chemicals are used. For fabric production, the company collaborates with mills to maintain superior quality. Once the fabric is ready, the company creates customized products like shirts, T-shirts, and shorts, adhering to international stitching standards. Dedicated inspectors oversee the entire process, including weaving, dyeing, and other internal procedures, to ensure consistent quality.

Lastly, Hemp Affair collaborates with the North India Textile Research Association (NITRA) for expert guidance, working with patent-holding fabric softening specialists to produce high-quality hemp and bamboo fabrics. Since its inception, Hemp Affair has experienced exponential growth, increasing its turnover from Rs.16 lakhs in 2019 to Rs.1.5 crores in 2023-2024— an 8-fold increase in just five years. The company now exports to Israel, the US, the UK, Australia, Moscow, Spain, and Dubai, with plans for further global expansion in the next 2-3 years. Short-term plans include establishing a handloom unit within the next year to produce woven hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton products with government and bank support. In the long term, the company aims to enter hemp yarn manufacturing and become India’s largest manufacturer within two years, contingent on securing investment.