Brett Boag holds a small square of what appears to be ordinary wooden, 20-millimetre-thick chipboard.
Only this material is heavier and startlingly stronger.
Bulletproof in fact.
During a recent test in the United States, it withstood even a burst from a high-powered AK-47.
“It’s phenomenally tough. We’re making products that are even way in excess of the hardest hardwoods, very high impact resistance as well,” said Mr Boag, who manufactures construction materials at a factory east of Melbourne.
The products are made from hemp — one of the toughest plants on the planet. …
I remember seeing something on Bamboo too and how we should be trying harder to grow it and use it as a core material. But growers are also reluctant. I admit I’m a bit outside of my domain of expertise on this but it seems we could be doing a lot better.