Flax and industrial hemp are experiencing a revival. EU regulations (the Green Deal, End of Waste), growing demand for biodegradable materials and support for alternative crops are making Polish farmers increasingly interested in these crops.
Poland has a flax-growing tradition and suitable soil and climate conditions for fibre flax. What is mainly lacking is modern machinery and processing infrastructure.
Flax and hemp are, however, two different crops with different harvesting technology. The field chain for flax: pulling (Union GX220 — flax is pulled up with its roots, not mown), field retting, turning the swaths (GX240) and baling retted flax straw (GX255 Rafale). Hemp is cut, not pulled — this is a separate harvesting technology, described in the hemp centre and in the guide to growing fibre hemp. The processing stage (decortication, long fibre) is carried out by the Vanhauwaert and Cretes lines, which process both raw materials.
Specific economic data for the crop — yields, fibre purchase prices and support rates — depend on the variety, raw material quality, contracting with a flax mill and current programmes. We discuss them individually, based on verified sources, when selecting the machine configuration.