The Institute
The Linnaeus Competence Centre Hemp
The Linnaeus Competence Center for Hemp takes its name from the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, whose Systema naturae (1735) and binary nomenclature (1753) laid the foundation of modern biological classification.
Hemp was first described under his designation Cannabis sativa L., with the “L.” referring to Linnaeus himself. This legacy continues to shape the institute’s mission today: to structure knowledge systematically, foster interdisciplinary exchange, and unlock the potential of the hemp plant for research, education, and sustainable innovation.
Mission and Core Activities
Innovation is a fundamental guiding principle of our institute. We initiate and shape innovation processes in emerging and transforming industries by systematically connecting scientific knowledge, vocational education, and entrepreneurial implementation. Our goal is to develop sustainable and future-oriented solutions with tangible societal and economic impact.
The institute’s work spans the interdisciplinary fields of agricultural sciences, material research, circular economy, and biotechnology. It develops and supports projects that explore hemp’s potential as a basis for bio-based materials, sustainable construction products, textiles, and energy sources.
Beyond research, the Center serves as a platform for knowledge transfer, vocational training, and academic collaboration. In partnership with universities, industry, and policymakers, it promotes professionalization within the hemp sector and supports the creation of new occupational and educational pathways.
Its overarching goal is to advance the role of Cannabis sativa L. as a catalyst for the socio-ecological transformation of the economy and to make its potential tangible in practice.