Abstract: Retting of the hemp was performed with fresh water and sea water separately,and their degumming effects were compared.The results revealed that both methods can reduce greatly the content of the pectin,wax and lignin except the hemicellulose.Although the degumming effect of sea water is inferior to that of fresh water,sea water retting can achieve fairly good effect in removing lignin.In consideration of environmental protection and saving fresh water,it is proposed that sea water can be used as a substitute for fresh water in hemp degumming via retting.