Great interest in Nygaia during GreenTech 2023

For the first time, the public was able to see, hold, feel and smell this revolutionary product with their own eyes. And those who tried their senses could conclude that the artificial fiber looks very natural after all. And smells too. Woody. This is due to the fact that Nygaia is largely made of bio-based polymers, extracted from the residual streams of corn, sugar cane or cassava.

But the biggest advantage over other substrates commonly used in high-tech horticulture is that it is completely biodegradable. Moreover, it provides a perfect surrounding for the plant root to grow in. This is due to its loose fiber structure. This ensures a good moisture versus air balance. The fiber structure (or chaos actually) holds water well, but also releases it easily, if the plant root requires it. Nygaia thus perfectly meets the critical requirements that high-tech horticulture places on a substrate.

Added value biobased and biodegradable
Yet certain properties also raise questions, among them the question if a (bio)polymer can be sustainable. To provide this with more background information, Tjeerd de Looze of Maan Biobased Products entered the 'Meet the Xpert-stage' on Tuesday, to talk with growers, colleagues, and students. Among other things, they discussed the added value of biobased and biodegradable materials for modern horticulture.

Tjeerd explains: “Polymers are only harmful if they end up in the environment. So, we make sure that this doesn't happen. If a product is completely biodegradable, we prevent residues from ending up in the soil or our water. The term 'biobased,' on the other hand, means that a raw material or product has a low ecological footprint by nature. Nygaia may not be entirely natural, but it is certainly fully sustainable.” An ode to mother nature, according to the makers.

More available raw materials are needed
On Thursday, Moritz Böcking, CEO of Klasmann-Deilmann, joined Tim Briercliffe for a panel discussion to share his views on growing media. For example, the table panel zoomed in on peat reduction. Moritz Böcking: "Peat will remain a very important raw material for commercial horticulture, but to meet the growing demand for growing media, more available raw materials are needed, and the industry must invest in new, innovative and sustainable solutions. Building on our great success with Growcoon, we are now launching a new product with our partner Maan Biobased Products.”

Tired but satisfied, the team from Klasmann-Deilmann and Maan Biobased Products returned home on Thursday. Confident about the future. GreenTech 2023 was a great success as far as they are concerned.

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