Steve Allin and Terry Barman, the founders of Stems Logic Ltd, are pioneers in the hemp industry with decades of experience and innovation in fibre processing, sustainable agriculture, and hemp-based construction.
Key Contributions:
• Early History: Steve and Terry co-founders of Hemp Ireland Ltd (1997–2003), conducted groundbreaking R&D on hemp cultivation, harvesting machinery, and retting techniques in Ireland’s climate. They collaborated with flax and hemp scutching and spinning mills in Northern Ireland, especially the management, consultants and highly skilled textile engineers of Mackie International.
• Technical Innovation: They developed prototype decorticators and modular processing systems to optimize fibre quality and farmer profitability.
• Legacy Integration: Their expertise is leveraged from Mackie International (historic and world renowned bast fiber machinery manufacturers) to modernize sustainable textile and composite industries.
Directors Steve Allin and Terry Barman in Lacapelle-Marival, France 2022.
Mackie International (originally James Mackie & Sons) was a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s textile machinery industry, specializing in equipment for bast fibers like flax, jute, and hemp from 1858 until its closure in 1999..
Mackie International played a significant role in the flax, jute, and hemp industries by providing specialized machinery and engineering solutions tailored to bast fiber processing. The company designed, manufactured, and installed precision equipment for producers of flax, jute, hemp, and other fibers like kenaf and sisal. This machinery was essential for efficient fiber extraction and processing, which are critical steps in producing textiles, ropes, and industrial materials from these natural fibers.
By supporting the mechanization of bast fiber production, Mackie International contributed to the modernization and scalability of these industries. Its equipment enabled higher productivity and quality in fiber processing, which was particularly important as natural fibers competed with synthetic alternatives in the mid-20th century.
Despite Mackie’s decline in the late 1990s, Terry and Steve’s technical collaboration during this period solidified their proficiency in modernizing bast fiber processing. Today, this legacy informs Stems logic Ltd. ongoing work in optimizing hemp and flax production for high-performance fibres suitable for textile and composite applications.
Steve Allin
Steve Allin is a pioneering advocate and expert in the field of hemp construction, renowned for his extensive knowledge and practical experience in building with hemp-based materials. Living in County Kerry, Ireland, Steve has been at the forefront of the sustainable building movement for over two decades, promoting the use of hemp as a versatile, eco-friendly alternative to traditional construction materials. He is the author of several influential books, including Building with Hemp and Hemp Buildings: 50 International Case Studies, which have become essential resources for architects, builders, and policymakers worldwide.
Through his writing and advocacy, Steve has played a crucial role in raising awareness about the environmental and economic benefits of hemp in construction. In 2009 Steve founded the International Hemp Building Association (IHBA) after the first successful hemp building symposium. As director of the IHBA Steve also holds a prominent position supporting the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), where he contributes to shaping policies and advancing research in the hemp industry and is a member of the Working Group dedicated to addressing the regulation of hemp building materials in the EU. His work has been instrumental in driving the adoption of hemp-based solutions across Europe and beyond.
A passionate educator, Steve regularly speaks at international conferences and workshops, sharing his expertise and inspiring a new generation of sustainable builders.
Terry Barman
Terry Barman is a pioneering figure in the hemp and flax industry, with decades of expertise in research, innovation, and commercialization. As a founding director of Hemp Ireland Ltd (1997–2003), he spearheaded advancements in hemp cultivation, processing, and sustainable textile production, focusing on organic methods and environmental soundness. His work spanned crop research, machinery development, and fiber treatment trials, establishing Ireland’s potential in industrial hemp.
Beyond Hemp Ireland, Terry has held leadership roles such as CTO at AM Innovative Solutions, CEO at Inside Infusions Ltd, and Technical Director at Natural Oils & Fibres Ltd, driving innovation in nanotechnology, biorefinery, and organic materials.
Terry has collaborated with top-tier institutions like NUI, DCU, ARINI, AIT, TCBB, Crann and Teagasc, and backed by grants from Leader, Biobase Europe and other Enterprise Ireland innovation awards.
A co-founder of the International Hemp Building Association, Terry Barman continues to shape sustainable hemp production, construction and industrial textile applications, cementing his legacy as a visionary in hemp’s global resurgence.
Contact Stems Logic
We work with clients across the hemp, flax, and natural fibre industries. Send us a brief overview of your project, and we’ll be in touch with how we can help.
