Chairman says investment represents tribe’s commitment to environmental stewardship
From left, Panda Biotech Chief Operating Officer Scott Evans; Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce CEO Ron Kitchens; Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller; Southern Ute Tribe Chairman Melvin J. Baker; Panda Biotech President Dixie Carter; Chairman and CEO Robert W. Carter; Janice Carter; and Executive Director of Southern Ute Growth Fund Shane Seibel as they prepare to cut a ribbon at the opening Panda Biotech Hemp Gin. (Courtesy of Southern Ute Growth Fund)
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has become investors in a 500,000-square-foot hemp processing facility in Wichita Falls, Texas, saying it is part of the tribe’s commitment to sustainable and innovative agricultural practices.
A grand opening for the Panda Hemp Gin facility was held last month in Wichita Falls. The facility will process hemp straw that will be used in textiles, straw and pellets, according to the June 28 edition of The Southern Ute Drum, the tribal newspaper.
“This facility represents not just an investment in the future of hemp production … but also a dedication to environmental stewardship and community development,” Tribal Chairman Melvin J. Baker said at a ribbon-cutting, according to the Drum.
The tribe is interested in sequestering carbon dioxide emissions not just on a local level but on a national scale, said Shane Seibel, executive director of the Southern Ute Growth Fund, in an interview with The Durango Herald. That’s why there was interest in investing in the hemp-processing facility, which was built and is operated by Panda Biotech.
Panda Biotech announced its partnership with the tribe in 2023.
The hemp facility opened on June 13 and has the ability to process 22,000 pounds of hemp fiber an hour, making it the second-largest in the world.
“We’re interested in the sequestering of substantial amounts of carbon dioxide now, not only here locally on our oil and gas facilities, but everywhere else,” Seibel said. “And this partnership really aligned well with the energy transition.”
One of the reasons hemp is sought after for sustainability efforts is its ability to capture carbon dioxide. For every ton of hemp grown, 1.6 tons of carbon is removed from the atmosphere, according to data from Panda Biotech.
Hemp can also be used to produce a plethora of products, from clothing to biodegradable plastics.
“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,” said Dixie Carter, president of Panda Biotech. “Panda’s industrial hemp will play a pivotal role in satisfying significant global market demand for renewable processes and products.”
The company says it is a zero-waste process, using every part of the industrial hemp stalk, and operates solely on 100% renewable energy.
Seibel said growing industrial hemp requires significantly less water, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides, making it a more environmentally friendly crop to grow. He said the tribe understands the manufacturing process and has vast experience working in it through its rich history in the oil and gas industry.
“To be able to enter into the textile market with hemp is a game-changer,” he said.
The hemp facility has an end-to-end processing line 700 yards long and has the ability to produce 150 million pounds of hemp per year.
Panda Biotech COO Scott Evans said in a news release that the hemp straw is sourced directly from partners in Texas and surrounding states. It is then transformed into packaged products which are ready to be sold.
Panda Biotech is executing contracts with farmers and actively seeking more producer partners interested in growing industrial hemp in 2024.
The industrial hemp manufacturer offers a pay-to-grow program designed to mitigate grower risk by offering upfront money and zero seed cost.
“We view the investment as a complementary and strategic partnership, that really aligns with our company values,” Seibel said.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has become investors in a 500,000-square-foot hemp processing facility in Wichita Falls, Texas, saying it is part of the tribe’s commitment to sustainable and innovative … Read More