MyProfessional
How do EcoBoost products help growers? Part I
98 views
In this Part I of our EcoBoost products, Kari Sikolangas, Product Manager, provides the relevant context for growers to use alternative substrates.
We produce high quality substrates for professional growing There are many important requirements for that. First of all, environmental aspects. Nowadays, it is obvious that raw materials used for the substrate mixture are ecological or sustainable. Then, we also need sufficient availability. And consistent quality of raw materials used in professional growing. And we also need raw materials that need to work well in the mixing lines and adapt to the production process in the factory. And, most importantly, in a grower's cultivation and their growing method. In addition to those elements, we also need the substrate to be safe and easy to use. It is not allowed having plant or human pathogens and neither are heavy metal residues or other impurities threatening the growth of the plants or the human health. There is no doubt that productivity is needed in cultivation. I'd like to add to the list the after use of the spent substrate. In other words, how to recycle the substrate easily and cost efficient once the substrate has been used by the grower. As I mentioned earlier, yield is an essential factor in professional growing. Yield is also important when selling the substrate. All these raw materials in a substrate such as porosity, water capacity and so on, need to be available for the growth of plants. Kekkilä Professional started to use alternative raw materials in substrates since 2017 by adding Sphagnum moss to the standard products we had back then. In the test phase with growers, we found out that 25% to 30% of Sphagnum moss was bringing more airspace and providing strong structure to the mixture. Therefore, we released this product range with the name AirBoost. Then next step was to add wood fiber to our products after we mastered the Sphagnum moss addition. Wood fiber made it possible to use finer fractions in the substrate without losing drainage, which is one of the main properties that wood fiber provides. And finally, thanks to our research and trials we are ready to release our EcoBoost products range for our professional growing customers. EcoBoost products include 50% of alternative raw materials, such as Sphagnum moss and wood fiber. By producing and using EcoBoost products, we are lowering our ecological footprint without losing vital properties needed for an excellent yield.