INTERVIEW: Dr. Ernesto Valenzuela is a Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Economics at La Trobe University. His work supports regional development, agriculture and sustainable industries, translating research into practical insights for industry and policy, with a strong focus on building resilient supply chains for emerging sectors such as industrial hemp.
HempToday: Where does industrial hemp sit within LISAF’s broader research agenda, and what drew the institute into this emerging sector?
Ernesto Valenzuela: Industrial hemp fits within LISAF crop-innovation agenda as an emerging, versatile crop with strong sustainability potential. LISAF’s work in hemp reflects early-stage industry interest and the need for evidence-based research to assess agronomic performance, value-chain viability and regional development opportunities before large-scale commercial uptake.
HT: Hempcrete is gaining attention globally. What makes panel-based hempcrete especially relevant for Australia’s push toward lower-carbon building materials?
EV: From my perspective, hempcrete panels are promising because they combine very low embodied carbon with strong insulation, fire resistance and moisture regulation. They suit prefabrication, reduce on-site emissions, and use plant-based inputs that can be grown regionally in Australia, supporting rural jobs while helping the construction sector meet long-term climate and housing challenges.
HT: When you look at the full production chain, where are the biggest bottlenecks right now that need investment before this can scale?
EV: Based on our work, the most urgent gaps are decortication and quality standardization. Reliable, well-scaled processing is essential to deliver consistent hurd quality for manufacturing. Without this backbone, prefabrication cannot scale efficiently. Targeted investment in processing infrastructure and quality control would unlock downstream innovation in panels, factories and construction uptake across Australia.
HT: Cost is still one of the main concerns stakeholders raise. What practical steps could bring hempcrete panels closer to being competitive with mainstream materials?
EV: Cost competitiveness will not come from a single lever. Standardization can reduce risk and over-engineering. Scaling lowers unit costs through learning and throughput, and regional hubs cut transport and coordination costs by linking growers, processors, and panel plants. Together, these steps shift hempcrete from a bespoke product to a repeatable construction system with predictable costs.
HT: In the near term, where do you think hempcrete panels are most likely to gain traction first in Australia’s housing and construction landscape?
EV: The strongest early adoption potential is in social and affordable modular housing, where whole-of-life performance matters as much as upfront cost. Hempcrete’s fire resistance, thermal comfort and durability align well with public procurement, sustainability targets and prefabricated delivery. Bushfire-resilient builds are a close second, particularly in regional areas facing rising climate risk.
HT: Building approvals and codes can be slow to adapt. What kinds of regulatory or certification progress would make the biggest difference for wider uptake?
EV: The biggest accelerator would be nationally recognized performance-based pathways that allow hempcrete panels to demonstrate compliance without bespoke approvals. Clear guidance on fire, structural integration and durability testing, alongside deemed-to-satisfy options for standard panel systems, would reduce uncertainty for builders and certifiers. Aligning state interpretations and supporting pilot projects through government procurement would further normalize hempcrete within Australia’s building code framework.