Founded in 1998, Naturally Advanced Technologies (NAT) is committed to unlocking the potential of renewable and environmentally sustainable biomass resources from hemp and other bast fibers. Until 2006 the company was known as Hemptown, but made the switch to NAT in order to broaden their focus from retail clothing to the gaping technological void in the production process of bast fibers.
In the last five years NAT has come a long way in their stated goal. CRAiLAR, a wholly owned subsidiary, is NAT's effort at a sustainable and affordable hemp fiber. Through a patented enzyme bath the company claims to be able to replace traditional retting, which is both high in labor and environmental costs. This allows NAT to create a natural hemp fiber without high water usage, high temperatures or toxic chemicals.
Here is NAT's self-description of the process: "The all-natural CRAiLAR® process removes glue-like lignin and naturally occurring impurities from hemp’s external layer and converts the straw-like fibers to soft, lofty fibers using a three-stage, high-pressure enzyme bath. The first stage involves a light-grade application of natural acids, followed by an application of naturally occurring enzymes (proteins). The third stage entails a wash cycle using hydrogen peroxide—an all-natural blend of hydrogen and oxygen."
This first breakthrough is driven home by a second advance, patent pending, allowing NAT to adapt conventional cotton-spinning equipment in order to bring their CRAiLAR fiber into the commercial market. These two proprietary discoveries could allow NAT to step uncontested into the potentially large textile market of sustainable and organic fibers.
Currently NAT is partnering with Hanesbrand, Inc. and Georgia-
Pacific Consumer Brands in order to bring their technologies into commercial fruition. The end of 2010 could see Hanes apparel blended with CRAiLAR yarn available for retail sale. When this happens a huge step toward sustainable textiles will have been taken.
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