The Hemp Building Directory had the pleasure of sponsoring the Australian Industrial Hemp Conference 2026, held at the Rydges Conference Centre in Geelong. It was a strong gathering of growers, processors, builders, researchers and advocates from across the sector, and a chance to see the industry’s momentum first-hand.
Gold sponsors AgirFutures and Midlands Seeds along with several supporting sponsors like Southern Hemp helped to make this event possible.
Our presentation
Jeremy and Kirstie presented on how the Directory is not just a list of businesses but part of the niche sector ecosystem. Their talk covered how the Hemp Building Directory is helping build the Australian hemp construction industry, and how we can cooperate to grow the market and compete to improve the products. A small industry grows fastest when its players share knowledge and open doors for each other, and it gets better when they push each other on quality.
Members in the room
Several Hemp Building Directory contributing members were in attendance, contributing to various aspects of the conference and making time to chat and mingle with guests and speakers, both international and Australia-wide.
On the trade floor
- Johan Tijssen from HempBlock Australia had a stand.
- David Brian from Southern Hemp had a stand.
On the program
- Klara Marozzky from Australian Hemp Masonry chaired a session on materials, with a focus on hurd for hemp building.
- Leigh Fletcher from Murray Industrial Hemp presented on the current progress of their plans to build a processing and building material fabrication plant at Braham, NSW.
- Our own Kirstie Wulf chaired a session on genetics and environment inputs.
- Joost Bakker made a surprise in-person appearance, presenting his work around sustainability, which includes the hemp wood sheeting product ‘Plantboard’ and an update on hpw things are going with Zac Effron’s ‘sustainable mansion’ Northern Rivers.
Andi Lucas from X-Hemp presented with the Australian Hemp Fibre Processors group which included Connie from Ashford Hemp Industries and Klara – their presentation didn’t seem to follow the brief of Growing Connections.
Looking ahead
Seeing directory members on stage, on the floor and in the conversations between sessions is exactly what the Directory is for: connecting the people building this industry. Thanks to the AIHC organisers, speakers and everyone who stopped to chat.
If you’re working in hemp building and want to be part of the ecosystem, get listed at hempbuilding.au.
Gallery: AIHC 2026 HBD connects at Geelong gathering
Disclaimer
HBD do not warrant the quality or experience of anyone listed on this directory.
We have relied on the information provided by the business and its representatives.
This site is not intended to provide and does not constitute building advice, or other professional advice.
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