Klasmann-Deilmann on tour

From 6 to 7 October 2026, Klasmann-Deilmann Benelux organised an inspiring tour for a group of customers. During this two-day event, participants were given a behind-the-scenes look at Klasmann-Deilmann and a number of innovative partners in the supply chain.

The trip began in Geeste, where the group first visited Klasmann-Deilmann’s head quarters. The programme included a tour of the KD Academy, the test greenhouse and the laboratories. There, participants gained insights into the development of modern growing media with an increasing proportion of sustainable materials. Using GreenFibre® and TerrAktiv® as examples, it was demonstrated how alternative raw materials are used in substrate development and contribute to the production of high-performance, peat-reduced products such as Growbag ADVANCED. The group then travelled on to Papenburg to visit the new plant, which had come into operation that summer.

Alternative raw materials

The following day, the group visited Olde Bolhaar Eco Service (OBES), where green waste and tree bark are subject to processing to produce high-quality TerrAktiv® green composts. The participants were able to see for themselves how these raw materials are processed into homogeneous and safe starting materials for professional growing media. Thanks to its recent RHP certification and the expansion of its production capacity, OBES is well-equipped for further growth.

Innovation in the supply chain
At Maan Biobased Products in Raalte, the focus was on innovation. The visiting group was introduced to the biodegradable solutions Growcoon and Nygaia. These help horticultural businesses make their cultivation methods more sustainable and reduce their reliance on fossil-based raw materials. The machines from Maan Horti Automation were also examined, with the new automatic dispenser proving to be the highlight.

The inspirational trip provided an opportunity for discussion, new insights and the exchange of experiences. This gave the participants a clear picture of current and future developments.

Author: Anita Bassie

Der Beitrag See, learn and be inspired erschien zuerst auf Klasmann-Deilmann.

ToSuGa project visits Klasmann-Deilmann

How can the peat content in growing media be further reduced without compromising on quality and crop security? The ToSuGa research project is addressing this and other questions. On 16 and 17 September, participants in the project visited us. The focus was on a professional exchange regarding peat alternatives, as well as fascinating insights into our research, quality assurance and production.

Exchange on peat alternatives

We began by welcoming the group to our site in Geeste. Following a company presentation, we took them on a tour of the greenhouse, the physics laboratory and the technical centre. This quickly led to an in-depth discussion about various alternative growing media, their properties and the different methods we use to examine and evaluate them.

The extensive facilities available to us for developing and testing our substrates aroused particular interest. These include, for example, our pot-pressing machine, which regularly attracts attention from visiting groups. It enables practical investigations and illustrates just how closely research and application are related within our organisation.

During the presentation, we also introduced the teams within our department that are working on the various topics. The importance placed on quality assurance at Klasmann-Deilmann and the comprehensive nature of our technical consultancy services were very well absorbed. It thus became clear to our guests that the development of new and peat-reduced growing media goes far beyond the selection of suitable raw materials. 

From research to production

On the second day, Jan Frankemölle accompanied the group on visits to Papenburg and Sedelsberg. There, the project participants gained an insight into our production schemes and learnt about the numerous steps required to ultimately produce high-quality growing media.

In Papenburg, there was a particular focus on raw material handling. Here, we were able to clearly demonstrate the influence that the purchase, selection and handling of our raw materials have on the subsequent quality of our growing media. The visit thus bridged the gap between scientific research, quality assurance and the demands of day-to-day production practice.

Working together on safe growing media

ToSuGa stands for ‘Peat reduction with safe growing media for professional horticulture’. This collaborative project focuses on further developing growing media with reduced peat content or no peat content, ensuring they meet the high standards of professional horticulture in terms of plant growth, plant health, irrigation and mechanisation.

The two days of visits demonstrated once again just how valuable direct exchange between research and practice is. At the same time, we were able to convey to our guests the level of commitment and the technical capabilities with which our teams are working on the further development of modern growing media. The many technical discussions provided both sides with new insights and valuable impetus for future work.

Foto: Merle Gierga

Der Beitrag Research meets practice erschien zuerst auf Klasmann-Deilmann.

Sustainability requires looking at the bigger picture

How sustainable is a growing medium? There is no simple answer to that question. A new study by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, now provides the first scientifically robust and Europe-wide comparable dataset for the most important constituents used in growing media. Its key finding is clear: there is no single raw material that represents the most sustainable solution in every respect. What matters instead is the interplay between different constituents and their environmental impacts.

For the study, researchers assessed twelve major growing media constituents as well as 30 typical growing media mixes across seven horticultural application areas. In addition to peat, the analysis included materials such as wood fibre, coir products, bark, green compost, perlite and mineral wool. Rather than focusing solely on climate change, the researchers considered a total of 16 environmental impact categories. These included acidification, eutrophication, particulate matter, land use, as well as the consumption of water and other resources.

This broader approach leads to some particularly interesting findings. Wood fibre and expanded perlite, for example, show a comparatively low climate change impact. Peat, on the other hand, has higher CO₂ emissions, especially due to the assumed complete oxidation of its carbon content during the use phase. However, when the assessment looks beyond climate change and considers the overall environmental impact, the picture changes considerably in some cases. Coir-based constituents perform significantly better than peat in terms of climate impact but show higher impacts in other categories. The study thus highlights just how much environmental impacts can vary from one category to another.

Green compost is another good example of why a differentiated view is important. As a constituent made from organic residual materials, it may initially appear to be a particularly sustainable option. However, the study shows that factors such as the composting process, energy use and resulting emissions can have a significant influence on its environmental footprint. At the same time, the researchers explicitly point out that the available data for green compost is still subject to considerable uncertainty and needs to be improved further.

Of particular relevance to our industry is the study’s assessment of complete growing media mixes. The results show that targeted formulation can deliver significant reductions in the carbon footprint in a number of application areas. At the same time, a mix with a lower climate impact does not automatically perform better across all other environmental indicators. This is why the authors argue for an increasingly holistic and application-specific assessment of growing media.

Ultimately, it is not only the environmental footprint of an individual constituent that matters. Just as important is how well a growing medium performs in the actual crop. If a supposedly more sustainable raw material leads, for example, to reduced plant growth or to a higher demand for water, fertiliser or energy, the overall environmental performance of plant production may become worse. The next important step in research is therefore the application level: which growing medium is best suited to achieving a specific yield, how efficiently are water and nutrients used, and what environmental effects arise over the full cultivation cycle?

For the growing media industry, the study therefore provides an important new basis for future decision-making. It confirms that sustainability cannot be achieved simply by replacing one single constituent. Instead, the aim is to combine different raw materials intelligently, make use of their respective strengths, and keep both environmental impacts and horticultural performance in view.

Or, put simply: when it comes to sustainable growing media, things are rarely black and white. The best solutions emerge when environmental performance and plant growth are considered together.

You can find the study here: Life cycle assessment of growing media: a baseline dataset for European horticulture – ScienceDirect

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Together with leading horticultural businesses, we are testing the next generation of plant propagation

Innovations must prove their worth in the environments in which they will eventually be used, such as under real production conditions within existing cultivation systems and in conjunction with the processes of professional horticultural businesses. Rootixx is currently at this stage.

Our patented, peat-free plant propagation solution is currently being tested in collaboration with leading producers in Europe, North America and Australia. Initially, we only planned to work with a small number of selected trial partners. However, due to the high level of interest from within the industry, we are now supporting around 30 trials and projects. This response confirms that the professional plant propagation sector is open to new concepts.

Development begins with the customer

Every trial begins with an analysis of the conditions at the relevant farm. Which trays are used? How are the plants watered and fertilised? Which processes are automated? What requirements must a propagation solution meet to ensure it can be reliably integrated into the farm’s operations?

“First of all, we need to understand how the customer cultivates their plants, what system they use, and what their requirements are,” explains Dr Sebastian Kipp, Klasmann-Deilmann’s Director of Innovation.

In many cases, we therefore work directly with the trays and technical measures at the trial sites. Rootixx is not tested in isolation from its intended use, but rather compared with the established propagation media used by the respective customer.

The results so far are encouraging. At the same time, the tests provide concrete indications of where the formulation or application needs further adjustment. This is precisely where the value of this validation phase lies.”

Research and development under real-world conditions

Rootixx is being trialled in various crops and cultivation systems. Each trial accumulates information about the conditions under which the concept can best demonstrate its strengths.

It’s not just about visible plant growth. A new propagation system must produce consistently uniform results in the long term in professional operations. It must be possible to water it reliably and fit it into existing cultivation strategies. It must also function effectively in subsequent stages of the process.

“It’s not enough for the plants to grow well,” emphasises Kipp. ‘Ultimately, the automation must also function reliably.’

Consequently, the various specialist departments work very closely together. Findings from customer trials are fed directly back to the research and development teams. There, they are evaluated and verified in further greenhouse trials, and translated into technical measures where necessary. Our colleagues in the markets support businesses on the ground and ensure that experiences from different regions are brought together.

This ongoing exchange is an essential part of our development approach: testing, measuring, adapting and testing again under real-world conditions.

More than just a new propagation medium

Rootixx is not just a replacement for existing materials; it is an innovative, patented technology with a range of applications. The concept establishes a relationship between innovative, patented technology and an automated application.

In the long term, the starting material will be prepared directly at the producer’s premises and dispensed into the farm’s own trays. This enables farms to retain control over the production process and use Rootixx as required. At the same time, transport and logistics can be organised efficiently.

We are currently developing a suitable mixing and dosing unit together with an established automation partner from the horticulture sector. An initial prototype is expected to be ready by the end of the year. “Rootixx is not just a product,” says Kipp. ‘It is a system solution that also includes automation.’

Progress is already visible

Rootixx is still in the pre-launch phase. Many questions have already been answered, while others are currently being addressed in collaboration with our trial partners. The keen interest shown by growers, the international scope of the ongoing trials, and the results to date demonstrate that there is a genuine need for Rootixx. In the coming months, we will gain further insights into plant performance, operational handling and automation.

Until the full market launch, we will therefore continue to move forward together with experienced growers, technical partners, and our international teams. After all, the next generation of plant propagation isn’t developed behind closed doors. It’s developed in the greenhouse.

Der Beitrag Progress in Motion erschien zuerst auf Klasmann-Deilmann.

The key to successful banana production lies in the early stages, long before the plants reach the greenhouse. The process starts in the laboratory, where tissue culture plants are propagated under controlled conditions before being carefully hardened and acclimatised for commercial cultivation.

The company Vitroagriannakhil (V2A) in Morrocco has specialised in this process for more than ten years. With state-of-the-art facilities comprising a tissue culture laboratory and two young plant nurseries located in southern and northern Morocco, V2A supplies high-quality banana plants to Banana producers in Morocco and other international markets, including Senegal and Burkina Faso.

Tissue culture enables the production of uniform, virus-free young plant batches that establish quickly and consistently in the field. V2A reports average yields of around 70 tonnes banana fruits per hectare on its own plantations — well above Morocco’s national average of around 40 tonnes per hectare, according to FAO data (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

Creating the ideal environment for root development

The transition from the laboratory to the nursery is one of the most critical stages in banana propagation.

Plants produced in vitro initially have root systems that are not fully functional. During acclimatisation, they must develop entirely new roots that are capable of supporting healthy growth under commercial growing conditions.

According to Abdellah Bellanouenes, manager of the Vitroagriannakhil nursery and tissue culture laboratory, the type of propagation substrate used is therefore crucial.

„Propagation substrates of Klasmann-Deilmann are used throughout the entire process, from primary hardening to cultivation. They meet our scientific and professional production standards. They are essential for producing high-quality plants.“

The substrate provides the physical environment that young plants need during this sensitive stage. A balanced combination of water retention, aeration and structural stability supports rapid root development and helps the plants to become established successfully.

Healthy roots are the basis for healthy plants

At Vitroagriannakhil, strong root development is one of the clearest indicators of plant quality.

 „You can see the roots, they are dense. They have found an ideal environment in terms of water retention, aeration, and nutrient supply.“

The TS3 Substrate by Klasmann-Deilmann provides the ideal conditions for early development, the nursery can simplify crop management during propagation. „This means that we don’t need to use fertilisers.“

The result is a more efficient production process and consistently high-quality young plants that are ready for growers.

A partnership focused on quality

For Vitroagriannakhil, choosing the right substrate is about creating the best possible starting point for every plant.

„We opted for a substrate from Klasmann-Deilmann because it saves us time. In general, the roots of in vitro plants aren’t functional. The plant has to regenerate new roots. To do this, it needs an ideal growing media structure. That’s exactly what we find in Klasmann-Deilmann substrates.“

By combining tissue culture expertise with the carefully selected substrates of Klasmann-Deilmann, Vitroagriannakhil produces vigorous, first-class banana young plants that enable banana producers to establish very productive plantations from the outset.

Der Beitrag Producing the foundation for successful banana cultivation erschien zuerst auf Klasmann-Deilmann.

Klasmann-Deilmann opens new production facility in Papenburg 

Klasmann-Deilmann has a new site in Germany. The company officially opened its new factory in Papenburg in the presence of invited guests. From now on, customers in the DACH region will be supplied with unpackaged growing media from this location. 

In his speech, Managing Director Jan Astrup expressed his gratitude for the sustained and dedicated efforts of the partner companies and the teams responsible at Klasmann-Deilmann. “For a company of our size, a new factory is a major project offering many opportunities, but also risks,” said Jan Astrup. “We would like to thank our shareholders for their confidence that we will also make this site a success.” 

Reflecting on developments in horticulture in Germany and neighbouring countries, Jan Astrup explained: “Germany needs this factory with state-of-the-art equipment, streamlined processes and a reliable output. The German horticultural sector requires high-performance growing media made from a variety of raw materials. Klasmann-Deilmann is the only growing media manufacturer investing in the German horticultural sector on this scale. We are demonstrating just how important this market is, even though the debate over peat use is casting a shadow over the entire horticultural production sector. We are showing just how important our customers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are to us, as they will now be supplied even more reliably.” 

The new factory currently produces around 5 m³ per minute. The aim is to increase this to 7–8 m³ per minute in the foreseeable future. Taking seasonal fluctuations into account, the site’s theoretical maximum capacity is approximately 350,000–400,000 tm³ per year. In the initial phase, production will be around 270,000 m³ per year. 

The port location is ideal for a modern and diverse supply of raw materials. Cocos from India and Sri Lanka, peat from the Baltic states, as well as wood fibres, bark and green compost from Germany are available. The factory specialises in loose substrates. 

Jan Astrup concluded: “This has realised what we had hoped for: a port location with international raw material links and a state-of-the-art factory whose horticultural influence extends as far as southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.”  

Der Beitrag Germany needs this factory erschien zuerst auf Klasmann-Deilmann.

How growers in Morocco are adapting to a new water reality

For decades, water was often taken for granted. Growers focused on crop selection, yields, plant health, and market demands. Today, however, water itself has become one of the most critical factors in horticultural production.

In regions such as Souss-Massa in Morocco, where the production of soft fruits and vegetables plays a key role in the local economy, water scarcity and declining water quality have fundamentally changed the way growers think about production.

As Lhassan Housni, Technical Manager at CASEM South of Morocco, explains: „It’s a question of cost, and of the global availability of water for existing farms, future expansions and people.“

His statement highlights a challenge that extends far beyond horticulture. Water is no longer just a production input. It has become a shared resource that must serve growers, expanding populations, and future economic development alike. For decades, Casem and Klasmann-Deilmann have worked closely together to adapt substrate solutions to the changing needs of Moroccan growers. Today, that collaboration is increasingly focused on helping growers respond to water scarcity, rising water costs and changing irrigation requirements.

Desalination: A Solution That Creates New Challenges
In order to ensure a reliable water supply, many growers in the Agadir region have invested in desalination systems. In parallel, a large public desalination of sea water plant has been set up to support agricultural production and the domestic water supply.

This local development is part of a broader national strategy. Morocco has invested heavily in desalination infrastructure in recent years and plans to source a significant proportion of its drinking water from the ocean in the future. According to CNN, policymakers increasingly view drought as a long-term structural change that requires new approaches to water management, rather than a temporary phenomenon. [1]

At first glance, desalination appears to solve the problem. Yet the reality is more complex. While desalination improves water availability, it also significantly increases production costs. Furthermore, desalination requires a complete change in cultivation strategy.

Every Drop Counts

As water becomes more expensive, growers are focusing more and more on efficiency. Traditional irrigation strategies often relied on relatively high irrigation volumes and drainage rates to maintain stable root-zone conditions. In the current climate, this approach is difficult to justify economically.

According to Housni, the goal today is clear: “Our idea is to create substrates that can hold more water, and to encourage customers to adapt the way they water and fertigate. The aim is to make water use more efficient and keep costs as low as possible.“

In practice, this can mean applying larger irrigation volumes at longer intervals while reducing drainage losses – a significant shift from traditional irrigation strategies.

However, implementing such strategies is not straightforward. Desalinated water introduces new management considerations, including residual elements such as boron (related to choice of the reverse osmosis membrane) and the need for adapted fertigation programs.

„The problem is multi-layered, so the solution is not just a matter of introducing a new product, but also of having the know-how to use it properly,“ says Anja Fritzen, Technical Advisor at Klasmann-Deilmann.

Irrigation strategies, fertigation programs and drainage collection systems may need to be adapted. The interaction between water quality, cultivation practices and substrate performance is becoming increasingly important.

Klasmann-Deilmann’s technical teams are working closely with growers and partners such as CASEM to evaluate how substrate composition, water retention and irrigation strategies can be adapted to these new conditions.

„We are still in the development phase“, explains Jean Roudier, Project Manager at Klasmann-Deilmann France. „Trials are running in the country; we still have to fine-tune the theory and adapt it to day-to-day practice.“

While Morocco provides a particularly visible example, the challenge is far from unique. Water scarcity, rising water costs and changing water quality are becoming realities in many horticultural regions around the world.[2]

The experience in Morocco shows that adapting to water scarcity is not simply a matter of installing a desalination plant or introducing a new substrate. It requires technical expertise, local knowledge and close collaboration between growers and industry partners.

As water becomes an increasingly valuable resource, those partnerships may prove just as important as the water itself.

References

[1] CNN. Morocco’s desalination strategy: A blueprint for Africa? 2026. Reported by CNN and referenced in coverage of Morocco’s national desalination strategy.
Morocco’s desalination strategy: A blueprint for Africa? | CNN

[2] FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture – Systems at Breaking Point (SOLAW 2021). Rome: FAO, 2021. Available at: https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/ecb51a59-ac4d-407a-80de-c7d6c3e15fcc/content

Der Beitrag When water changes, growing must change too erschien zuerst auf Klasmann-Deilmann.

Greater automation, more stable root balls and a significant competitive edge

The demands placed on modern forest tree nurseries are constantly increasing. Shorter cultivation times, greater automation and, at the same time, consistently high plant quality are crucial factors for commercial success. The example of the Spitzmann tree nursery illustrates how innovative propagation systems can support this. Florian Zorn, owner of the Spitzmann tree nursery, has now been successfully using Growcoon in the production of forest plants and reports significant benefits throughout the entire production chain.

The Spitzmann tree nursery produces around five to six million seedlings annually. In addition to young plants for further cultivation, the nursery also produces ready-to-sell containerised forest plants for professional customers. As a purely wholesale operation, the focus is on efficiency, consistent quality and reliable production planning. With increasing automation, new demands arose regarding the quality of the root balls. Compact and stable root balls were particularly necessary for automated transplanting processes.

“Our customers needed compact root balls for automated transplanting – both for field production and for container production,” explains Florian Zorn. “The problem was that the root balls were often too loose and did not have sufficient root penetration.”

More stable root balls for earlier sale

In its search for a suitable solution, the nursery tested various systems and finally opted for Growcoon.

The biodegradable Growcoon stabilises the propagation substrate and promotes the formation of a compact root ball. For the Spitzmann tree nursery, one advantage stood out in particular: “Growcoon enables us to fill the trays to 100 per cent very quickly, sell the plants much earlier and give both our customers and ourselves a clear competitive edge,” reports Zorn.

Positive results in root development

Before practical use, there were initial concerns regarding root development. In forest tree production in particular, ring-shaped root formation would pose a significant quality risk. However, the trial results were unequivocal.

“We were concerned that the roots might twist due to the structure of the Growcoon. That would have been a deal-breaker for our product,” says Florian Zorn. “So far, however, we have not observed this.”

Instead, the company observed targeted root growth along the tray structure. “The roots grow straight down between the Growcoon and the tray, guided by the grooves. On the contrary: the Growcoon actually helps the roots to grow even straighter and more robust.”

This development can also have a positive long-term effect on plant quality and reduce potential grounds for complaints.

Key technology for automation

In addition to improved root quality, Florian Zorn sees considerable advantages, particularly in the automation division. Although the introduction of the system initially required additional investment in appropriate stacking and handling technology, the switch is paying off in day-to-day operations. Automatic sorting and transplanting processes can be carried out much more reliably with stable root balls. This opens up new possibilities, particularly for batches with irregular germination.

“If we have batches with poorer germination rates, we can now group them together automatically. Previously, this would have taken us ten to twelve weeks. With Growcoon, we can complete this in around three weeks.”

Ensuring quality and reducing labour

For the Spitzmann tree nursery, Growcoon is now a key component of its production strategy. “Growcoon is very important for automation,” summarises Florian Zorn. “The aim is to produce a high-quality product whilst using as few labour resources as possible.”

This example shows that modern propagation systems can not only improve root quality but also unlock new potential for automated production processes. Particularly in labour-intensive crops such as forest tree production, this can make a decisive contribution to the long-term viability of horticultural businesses.

Der Beitrag Growcoon in forest tree production erschien zuerst auf Klasmann-Deilmann.

50% renewable raw materials by 2030 | 2025 Sustainability Report published

Klasmann-Deilmann has published its 2025 Sustainability Report. This marks the tenth time the company has provided an update on its economic, environmental and social performance. Further progress has been made in the use of alternative raw materials and in reducing emissions.

The proportion of renewable raw materials in the total production of growing media for professional horticulture rose to 30%. Over the past year Klasmann-Deilmann used a total of 1.15 million m³ of wood fibres, green compost and cocos, as well as innovative raw materials such as sphagnum and biochar.

“We are on the right track,” said Managing Director Damian Ikemann, “and already have our sights firmly set on the next target. By 2030, we aim to increase the proportion of alternative raw materials to 50% of our total production. We are thus pursuing an ambitious growth programme, but not a plan to phase out peat. Furthermore, we will continue to expand the areas dedicated to the protected cultivation of sphagnum so that we can utilise this forward-looking raw material – which offers the same beneficial properties as peat – in an ever-increasing number of applications.”

Between 2013 and 2025, Klasmann-Deilmann reduced its product carbon footprint (cradle to grave) by 33%, from 90.7 kg CO2e/m³ to 60.9 kg CO2e/m³. This reduction is largely due to the increasing use of alternative raw materials. In contrast, the corporate carbon footprint (cradle to customer) has been rising slightly again since 2024, after having consistently declined between 2013 and 2023. This is due to economic growth, which leads to higher resource consumption and more transports. Nevertheless, the corporate carbon footprint fell by 12% between 2013 and 2025, whilst sales volumes rose by 30% over the same period.

“Klasmann-Deilmann is thus succeeding in an area where political and societal expectations are particularly high”, explains Managing Director Jan Astrup. “There is a call for a far-reaching shift away from peat towards renewable raw materials. The aim is to significantly reduce emissions from extraction sites and substrates. However, climate neutrality will not be achieved in this way, neither at product level nor at company level. The use of alternative raw materials instead of peat does not result in a net-zero substrate.”

Sustainable development requires a massive financial outlay from Klasmann-Deilmann, the careful integration of new business units, the refurbishment of production facilities, an ongoing review of the product portfolio and a high level of personal commitment from the teams. “Despite the need to move at a rapid pace, we will take every step on the path of transformation with due care,” said Damian Ikemann, “in order to safeguard both the financial viability and the long-term success of our company.”

You can find the sustainability report here: https://klasmann-deilmann.com/en/media-centre/brochures/

Der Beitrag Lower emissions in the substrate erschien zuerst auf Klasmann-Deilmann.

Managing Director Damian Ikemann answers TASPO’s questions

Damian Ikemann, CEO of the Klasmann-Deilmann Group, answered the following questions in an interview with TASPO. Excerpts from his answers were published in the TASPO supplement “Soils and Substrates”, which appeared on 19 June 2026. The full answers can be read below.

1. 1. What is your current business sentiment in view of the noticeable reluctance to spend among end consumers and the many negative signals, such as those from the Ifo and GfK indices?

Damian Ikemann: Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, one crisis after another with global implications has unfolded. As a result, business sentiment is subject to constant fluctuations. However, the fact remains that our business model is proving largely resilient to geopolitical influences. Internal mechanisms are now also in place to deal constructively with the situation at hand and to carry on with full commitment. We remain confident.

2. 2. How do you assess the risk that the ‘Round Table’ in Germany might falter for similar or other reasons, as the Dutch Peat Covenant did – and how can this be prevented?

Damian Ikemann: We do not wish to speculate on the failure of the Round Table before it has really got off the ground. It is good that the Round Table has finally been established. As long as the parties involved do not insist on maximum demands but remain willing to compromise and realistic, an appropriate and sustainable solution can be reached.

3. 3. How do you respond to the accusation by NGOs that domestic restrictions merely lead to an ecological shift of problems to the Baltic states, in which German companies are heavily involved?

Damian Ikemann: The Baltic states have been among the key suppliers of raw materials for horticulture for decades. In that respect, nothing is currently being shifted there. However, Baltic raw materials are becoming increasingly important as other sources dry up. Anyone who speaks of a shift in the problem in this context fails to recognise the considerable and successful efforts of the substrate industry to use sustainable (materials) on a large scale. Klasmann-Deilmann alone used 1.15 million m³ of alternative raw materials in growing media last year.

4. 4. What is the current proportion of Baltic peat in your professional range, and how do you offset the long transport distances and peat extraction there in your carbon footprint?

Damian Ikemann: Peat harvesting and transport generate emissions, and the increasing use of alternative raw materials and their transport also generate emissions. Unfortunately, the substrate industry is not climate-neutral. Even a complete ban on peat would not modify that. However, it is true that peat and transport offer the greatest potential for savings. By reducing peat use, the industry is therefore on the right track to cutting emissions. Klasmann-Deilmann is already going one step further here: we can mix a precisely calculated proportion of our biochar, TerraCoal, into growing media, thereby offsetting all emissions from raw materials, production and transport. This process has a strict relation to the purchase of official CO2 certificates. This means: in fact, we already have the option of full offsetting, but the higher price for this cannot usually be realised in the market yet.

5. 5. To what extent are the global economic and political situation, as well as high energy prices, affecting the supply chains for substitutes such as wood fibres or coco fibre, and does this jeopardise the peat reduction targets?

Damian Ikemann: There are painful price rises from which the entire horticultural sector is suffering. However, the raw material supply chains remain largely intact. This demonstrates once again that the substrate industry should secure its resources in as diverse a manner as possible, in terms of both type and location, in order to remain capable of acting at all times. Klasmann-Deilmann has therefore made intensive efforts in recent years to secure the supply of all necessary substrate raw materials through long-term supplier contracts and the development of new in-house production capacities. This has had a very positive effect, particularly last winter and spring, as despite the proclaimed peat shortage, we remained a reliable supplier to all our customers at all times. Our goal is now to increase the proportion of alternative raw materials to 50% by 2030, and this goal is not at risk.

6. 6. What specific investments are you making in regional alternatives (such as paludiculture and sphagnum moss cultivation) to decrease dependence on imports and fossil fuels for transport?

Damian Ikemann: We are investing in the innovative, protected cultivation of Sphaxx peat moss, thereby offering an environmentally friendly alternative to mosses from natural peatlands. Furthermore, our new biochar TerraCoal, as well as the well-established GreenFibre wood fibres and TerrAktiv green compost, are all local peat alternatives from the German-Dutch region.

7. 7. How far have you got in preparing for the implementation of the PPWR requirements, particularly regarding the use of post-consumer recycled materials in your substrate packaging, the 100% recyclability of films and pallet wrappings, and the avoidance of void space?

Damian Ikemann: We are well prepared for the first stage of the PPWR guidelines – as far as the legal ambiguities that still exist allow. The conformity assessment is underway; our substrate packaging already contains a high proportion of PCR, and there is no empty space in our packaging. The issue of recyclability itself has not yet been conclusively defined, and there are as yet no promising approaches for 100% recycling. However, we are working hard with our suppliers to find solutions.

8. 8. What experience have you had so far with the new biodegradable slow-release fertiliser wrappers, and how do you address the issue of reduced stability and the associated shorter shelf life of the growing media?

Damian Ikemann: Even in the past, substrates containing controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) were intended to be used as soon as possible, as nutrient release begins rapidly after mixing and storage can lead to an undesirable increase in salinity. In this respect, shelf life is not a new key criterion for the new CRF types with biodegradable coatings. The specific changes that will accumulate to release and stability rates, as well as to the product portfolio, are currently being examined in detail. Our Research & Development team is in close contact with all manufacturers of CRFs, and projects involving new types are in the pipeline.

Der Beitrag Klasmann-Deilmann: 50% reduction in peat use by 2030 erschien zuerst auf Klasmann-Deilmann.