Panda Biotech, Culturewell launch India’s first hemp yarn supply chain
Yahoo World · 2026-07-30
Panda Biotech and Culturewell have inaugurated India’s first fully integrated hemp fiber-to-yarn supply chain, announced on Thursday, July 30, 2026. This partnership fuses Panda Biotech's mechanically-processed hemp fiber with Culturewell's distribution network, marking the first instance of US-cultivated hemp being degummed, spun, and processed into yarn within India. The collaboration also introduces mechanical cottonization and degumming capabilities, previously unavailable in India for hemp textiles. Panda Biotech President Dixie Carter highlighted India as a "strategically important" textile market, addressing local mills' demand for consistent, traceable, high-quality natural fibers. The supply chain will offer mechanically cottonized fiber for cotton blends and degummed fiber for finer textiles and medical products, with various hemp content options. These products hold OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and USDA BioPreferred certifications, ensuring traceability and sustainable sourcing. This initiative follows strong interest from Indian manufacturers at the Yarns & Fibers Expo in Mumbai, particularly for degummed fiber and knitting blends. The venture offers Indian mills duty benefits for US exports, consistent quality at commercial scale, and certifications meeting global sustainability standards. Culturewell CEO Rajesh Raizada emphasized that this establishes an "entirely new industrial framework for hemp in India."
*The full article also explores the specific types of textiles and medical applications envisioned for the new hemp products.*