Hemp researcher and innovator Carl Martel of Carleton University, Ontario, Canada, will explain how carbonized hemp can be used to create energy storing hempcrete during the 8th Annual Symposium of the International Hemp Building Association (IHBA) Oct. 16-17 in Belgium.
Martel, who has been researching industrial hemp since 2010, is among leading global hemp experts who will give updates on groundbreaking building projects, humanitarian initiatives and the latest developments in hemp-based construction during the event, to be held at Castle Hof Ter Loonst at Kampenhout near Brussels,
Formally trained as a geo-archaeologist, Martel has worked with a number of hemp companies across Canada and Australia. A grain quality post-harvest management systems expert, he is the co-inventor of a grain disinfection system currently deployed in those countries.
Martel’s recent focus has been on value added products from agricultural waste such as carbon foam for insulation, water filtration and desalination, and energy storage.
All-star lineup of speakers
The IHBA Symposium, which is hosted in a different part of the world each year, is led by veteran hemp builder Steve Allin, the Association’s Director. This year’s host and co-organizer is Wolf Jordan & Co, which is based in Brussels and Kalmthout, Belgium.
Other confirmed speakers for this year’s Symposium are: Monika Brümmer, Cannabric, Spain; Liam Donohoe, Dublin Institute of Technology; Pamela Bosch, Highland Hemp House, Washington State, USA; Igor Bogdonavic, the Serbian developer of a hemp decorticator; Henry Valles, who worked on the first hemp home at the Community First Village in Austin, Texas, USA; and Matthew Mead, Hempitecture, Washington State, USA.
