Non-Wovens and the Goodness of Hemp with Hempitecture's Mattie Mead

They say hemp has 25,000 uses — but today, we’re focusing on just one: nonwovens. In this episode, Eric and Sophia dive into a hidden-yet-ubiquitous part of our daily lives with guest Mattie Mead from Hempitecture. From car door panels to carpet padding, nonwovens are everywhere — and mostly made from petroleum-based plastics. But they don’t have to be. Mattie explains how Hempitecture is scaling the use of natural fibers, like hemp, to reduce carbon emissions, create American manufacturing jobs and transform the built environment. This episode is a masterclass in sustainable materials, circular economy thinking and what it really means to make change from the ground up. Topics Covered: • What nonwovens are and how they’re made. • Why nonwovens are a huge opportunity for hemp. • The story of Hempitecture’s pivot from hempcrete to fiber-based products. • How American-grown hemp can displace petroleum-based materials. • What it means to be a manufacturing company rooted in agriculture. • New tech on the horizon: fiber fortification. • Investment opportunities in sustainable American manufacturing. Link to invest in Hempitecture on WeFunder This show is brought to by HEMI and the Goodness of Hemp What can industrial hemp do for your business? Find out at hempinitiatives.org Music by Tin Bird Shadow This show was written, recorded, edited, and produced by Sophia Kurzius, Justin Berger, and Eric Hurlock Copyright 2025