SSUCHY-Next buildsfurther where previous BBI SSUCHY stopped in 2022. Ambition isto bring different parts of the hemp fibre supply chain to TRL 7, through production at scale of various fibre products, covering the complete value chain from field to composite. Two value chains are further developed. Fibres are extracted by either scutching or by breaking roller/card, linking into different geographical regions. Hackled and carded slivers are further processed into high quality preforms for composites: woven and quasi-UD fabrics and purely UD hemp tape. The appearance at industrial scale of high quality hemp fibres would give a boost to plant fibre composites in competition with glass fibre composites, offering both an environmentally sound and cost effective alternative, especially with less expensive medium length fibres. With hemp fibres which are largely circular, one of the major bottlenecks for a further breakthrough of bio-based composites has been the lack of (fully) bio-based, environmentally sound and as well cost efficient polymer matrices. Hence, our ambition in SSUCHY-Next to work on 3 bio-based resins: bio-based acrylic polymer (“Elium®”) with very high bio-content, and fully bio-based benzoxazine and BG-epoxy, building upon developments in SSUCHY. All systems developed to TRL 6 or 7. To demonstrate the viability of the materials, various inspiring applications are developed to TRL7. We demonstrate the design, production, testing and certification of a 12.6 meter long wind turbine blade, made from hemp and bio-based acrylic. Wood-based products are developed, based on infiltrated wood scaffolds, in first instance with fluid acrylic; also a hybrid wood-based product with hemp reinforcement is included to produce a leather replacement. Large scale building applications are demonstrated, based on shorter fibres and benzoxazine. For each developed product we demonstrate its recyclability. All developments are monitored and adjusted by means of LCA.

This project will establish a **Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping** (**CH Cx3**). The diverse team will work together on a selected set of four crop groups (already known to be associated with high carbon-capture potential). The team will ensure Project outcomes and outputs will be made available to farmers and government via a central knowledge hub dealing with dissemination and outreach. CHCx3 will evaluate and develop the potential for increased carbon (C) capture within UK agriculture by improving these crops' ability to capture and store Carbon-dioxide. In addition to capturing atmospheric Carbon-dioxide from the air and storing it in the soil, we will consider how the crops themselves can be used in production of: new products made from those crops. These include substitutes bricks/breeze blocks, fabrics and chip-board. Energy-crops substitute for gas/oil. In short, replacing non-renewable, carbon-intensive production materials where possible. Diversifying crop species (e.g., hemp and flax in sustainable building materials) and crops to feed livestock production systems (e.g., diverse grass and flower mixtures) has the potential to increase farm resilience, reduce crop inputs and help improve the environment. Addressing climate change goals requires that farmers and industry using and selling crop products (known as value-chains) have confidence in economically viable crop production. strengthening and piloting components of value-chains is a major component of the project. We will help farmers to deliver government incentive schemes, such as the 'Environmental Land Management' scheme (ELM) which, through payments, enables farmers to hit targets for broader public good.  CHCx3 brings together businesses, growers, industry-experts and other stakeholders; evaluates economic returns and validates anticipated climate-change mitigation and emissions reductions on-farm and through product-use by discussion, rigorous testing and life cycle analysis. Farmers and other stakeholders will be able to access data from the project through two user friendly Webpage-based 'Apps', one of which is already being developed in a recently funded sister project. Networking, knowledge exchange grower/user interaction and engagement with policy-makers are at the heart of the **CHCx3** hub; continued activity and growth is guaranteed through App development and recruitment of farmers; assisted by national membership groups such as the National Farmers Union, FarmED, NIAB and the British, Northern-Irish and Scottish Hemp Associations. Breeding work will continue too following completion The main 'Green House Gas (GHG) emission considered is carbon-dioxide, but a second key GHG will be reduced through reduced use of nitrogen-based fertilisers; namely nitrous-oxide emissions; this will also be quantified.

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