The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has made a significant investment in the future of hemp production with the opening of a 500,000-square-foot hemp processing facility in Wichita Falls, Texas, as reported by the Durango Herald. The Panda Hemp Gin facility, which celebrated its grand opening last month, is set to process hemp straw for various uses, including textiles, straw, and pellets.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Tribal Chairman Melvin J. Baker emphasized the facility’s importance, stating, “This facility represents not just an investment in the future of hemp production but also a dedication to environmental stewardship and community development.”
The tribe’s partnership with Panda Biotech, announced last year, has resulted in a facility capable of processing up to 22,000 pounds of hemp fiber per hour, making it the second-largest hemp processing facility in the world.
Shane Seibel, executive director of the Southern Ute Growth Fund, highlighted the tribe’s commitment to carbon sequestration, saying, “We are interested in the sequestering of substantial amounts of carbon dioxide now, not only here locally on our oil and gas facilities, but everywhere else. This partnership really aligned well with the energy transition.”
Dixie Carter, president of Panda Biotech, noted the global significance of the facility’s operations, stating, “Our industrial hemp will play a pivotal role in satisfying significant global market demand for renewable processes and products. As research and development in this area continue to advance, industrial hemp fiber and cellulose will help transform numerous industries with sustainable goals and challenges.”
The Panda Hemp Gin facility operates on 100% renewable energy and produces zero waste, utilizing every part of the hemp plant. The straw processed at the facility is sourced from Texas and surrounding states.
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