Effect of plasma treatment on chemical composition, structure and sorption properties of lignocellulosic hemp fibers (Cannabis sativa L.)

•Chemical and plasma treatment effects on hemp fiber sorption properties was compared.•After plasma treatment, wettability of raw hemp fibers increased almost 5 times.•Wettability of plasma treated hemp with lower lignin content increased up to 2 times.•Plasma treated hemp with lower hemicelluloses content has the highest wettability.•For some applications plasma can successfully substitute chemical treatment of hemp.