The times they are a-changing, as Bob once sang.

Look no further than a landmark development in the apparel world that’s “green” in two unique senses of the word.

As Business Insider and others have reported, Nebraska-based Bastcore has inked the first ever contract to supply American-grown hemp fiber for apparel. The deal is with a Los Angeles-based sustainable apparel company called Recreator.

The signing of the deal is a watershed moment in the history of hemp in America – and the apparel industry. Legislation dating back to 1937 made the growing of industrial hemp, a type of cannabis, illegal in the U.S. But a provision in the 2014 Farm Bill opened the door for growing the natural crop in certain states. 

As such, Bastcore is now able to source raw hemp from American farmers. Bastcore works with farmers in Colorado, Kentucky and Minnesota. After receiving the hemp, the Nebraska company uses a proprietary process for converting the stalks into commercial materials for use in textiles, composites and energy production.

Courtesy of Recreator

"This fiber supply contract marks a historic milestone in the U.S. Hemp Industry, and particularly for American-made hemp textiles, since the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill," Bastcore CEO John Lupien said in an announcement obtained by Business Insider. 

Recreator is pumped about the deal, too.

"This partnership should encourage rural communities to re-invest in natural fibers and textile production. We are excited to show the pull-through capacity of Recreator by implementing Bastcore’s American-grown and processed hemp fiber into our premium apparel line," Recreator CEO Matt McClain said.  

All about sustainability and going local, the LA co-op is excited it can now source hemp fibers for its fashionable hoodies, T-shirts, sweatpants and leggings right here in the U.S. The brand will keep things stateside with its operations too, taking the processed hemp that Bastcore provides and spinning it into yarn, knitting it into fabric, and cutting and sewing it into garments in California, Just-Style reports.

Of course, Recreator’s decision to make apparel with hemp is central to its mission of providing comfortable wearables in an eco-conscious way. Among other sustainable properties, hemp places less strain on water and soil resources. 

From a promotional products perspective, the Bastcore-Recreator partnership could be the first indication of a trend that will eventually impact the branded merchandise industry. Clients keen to align their brands with themes of sustainability and American-made will find an ideal product in USA-made clothing constructed with American hemp. We’re not saying this will take over the market, but savvy suppliers and distributors that get out in front of this development can potentially tap into a wealth of niche sales – a niche in which clients could be willing to pay a premium for apparel that embodies their ethos.  ​

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