Construction of the largest hemp processing plant has been completed in Jeffersonville, Indiana after more than 2 years of construction. The US$80 million Hemprise investment is a 100,000 square-foot facility located in the River Ridge Commerce Center. Funding for the project was provided by Layn Corporation, a China-based food additive company. Hemprise has the intention of produce a variety of cannabinoid products for both pet and human consumption. Currently, a non-psychoactive chemical, CBD, in Cannabis used to treat issues including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder, is not able to be sold as a dietary supplement under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Once the largest hemp processing plant in the US is opened, it plans to employ 50 people. It will also provide a place for hemp farmers to sell their crops. The company plans to begin operations on a trial run this last quarter when it will begin sourcing hemp from local farmers and producing CBD, which the company will sell wholesale to manufacturers. They are currently working to establish contracts with hemp cultivators, but officials have said it has been challenging trying to work with many of Indiana’s small farmers on an individual basis. When operating at full capacity, they will be able to process roughly 10 metric tons of biomass per day. This equates to approximately 8 million pounds of biomass per year.
“Our company is looking to revolutionize the hemp industry. Hemprise is a leader in its industry. A foreign company that is making an investment in our community, and a product that has lots of potential Kentucky and Indiana grow some of the best hemp in the country. We felt like this region of the country really provides us with so much opportunity for growth and development, this is really where we wanted to focus our time, energy, and investment,” said Hemprise regional sales manager Danni Bramblet.
