Generation Hemp, Inc. announced the execution of a licensing agreement with world-renowned brand, Gas Monkey Garage. Generation Hemp will manufacture a USA grown hemp hurd spill absorbent and market this new product under the Gas Monkey brand name to consumers, retailers, and distributors as an environmentally sustainable, USA made, ultra-absorbent spill clean-up material. This will be Generation Hemp's second sustainable consumer goods product line made from U.S. grown hemp hurd.

Richard Rawlings, owner and founder of Gas Monkey Garage, is the star of the international hit series “Fast N' Loud” & “Garage Rehab” spanning 17+ seasons and 200+ episodes. In the past year, Richard and Gas Monkey have cut the cable and brought their love for classic cars online with multiple new episodes premiering every week on YouTube and Facebook. With his experience of owning and running a garage for over 18 years, Richard Rawlings found inspiration for a sustainable spill absorbent.

There are several types of spill absorbents with varying characteristics and in three general categories – mineral based, animal or vegetable based, and synthetic or organic polymers. The challenge in choosing an absorbent is finding an effective absorbent that does not pose a threat to health or the environment, whether that threat is posed when that material is procured or used. For example, a widely used spill absorbent material in products is Bentonite Clay.

This is often a very dusty material and has warnings of containing unsafe levels of lead (FDA) and is associated with a number of health complaints in humans. Generation Hemp, Inc. tested its U.S. grown and milled hemp hurd against currently used absorbents on the market and the findings showed it to be as effective or more effective in absorbency and containment of spills. Exactly one ounce of each media was weighed out.

150mL of motor oil was added to the media and allowed to saturate overnight. Hurd absorbed 235% its weight. Kitty litter (a commonly used absorbent media) absorbed 5% and a brand name industrial oil absorbent absorbed 55%.

The test was repeated with different time intervals. Same initial weight of one ounce of media, again, 150mL of motor oil was used for the test. Hemp Hurd absorbed more in ten minutes than a branded industrial chemical absorbent does overnight.

The circumstances were repeated using diesel fuel and similar results were noted. Of equal significance as to the effectiveness of hemp hurd as an absorbent is hemp's environmental sustainability, and although spill cleanup will continue to require responsible disposal methods, hemp absorbent is not an added potential pollutant in the case of potential leaching, nor does it pose a health threat.