Gramoflor puts credible sustainability at the centre of attention at IPM 2025. The recently obtained HORTICERT certification for the two German production sites underpins this pioneering role in favour of environmental and climate protection: Gramoflor is the first HORTICERT-certified substrate manufacturer with a focus on professional horticulture.

"HORTICERT guarantees compliance with ecological, social and economic sustainability criteria for peat substitutes, potting soils and growing media along the entire supply chain," says Ulrike Fockenberg, Head of Sustainable Product Development at Gramoflor. "With our successful certification, we are therefore providing proof of quality that our most important peat substitutes are produced and processed sustainably."

Michael Nordlohne, Sales Manager, adds: "HORTICERT offers us a uniform and standardised methodology for calculating the CO2 footprint, which allows us to verifiably calculate the greenhouse gas savings of peat-reduced substrates compared to a specified reference mixture of 100% peat. For our customers, this means measurability, comparability and transparency of the Gramoflor substrates used. These advantages not only strengthen our credibility as a company, but also the trust in our sustainable solutions."

Some of our raw material suppliers are currently undergoing the certification process. We plan to be able to source and use HORTICERT-certified peat substitutes for all three pillars of peat reduction (LIGNOFIBRE® quality wood fibre, coconut and substrate compost) by the beginning of 2025.

The successful HORTICERT certification is therefore an important step for Gramoflor on the way to even greater peat reduction. Sustainability is documented and actively practised.

Coco Chips - peat-free alternative to coarse white peat

Gramoflor is presenting its new, renewable raw material Coco Chips for the first time at this year's IPM.  This peat substitute is made from shredded coconut shells, a residual material from coconut processing. Coco Chips provide an excellent, coarse-grained structure for substrates. As a peat-free alternative to coarse white peat, they are characterised by their very good structural stability, which has even been proven to be superior.

Thanks to the natural fibre content, Coco Chips promote the air capacity of the substrate, which is essential for healthy root development, among other things. Especially in combination with our wood fibre variants LIGNOFIBRE®c coarse and LIGNOFIBRE®, they are the perfect addition for professional substrates from pot size 13.

Thanks to the water retention in the coarse pieces, Coco Chips support lasting moisture despite their coarse structure.

New blueberry substrate - for safe cultivation in containers

All of these positive properties of Coco Chips have been incorporated into the development of the new berry substrate at Gramoflor. The new "Topf-Blueberry" (art. 35172) is a universally applicable, highly peat-reduced container substrate for blueberries. It has an increased substrate moisture content and the pH value is adjusted to the level below 5 required for blueberries. The berry substrate contains 65% peat substitute raw materials, including Coco Chips, the quality wood fibre LIGNOFIBRE® and perlite. The combination of these alternative raw materials, peat, mineral fertiliser and gramoMICRO-DEPOT ensures optimum conditions for blueberry cultivation.

New „BIO Presstopfsubstrat“ – für die Saison 2025

Another highlight for the 2025 season is the newly developed "BIO Presstopf" (art. 35174) growing and propagation substrate. With a peat substitute content of 30%, the finely structured substrate is particularly suitable for sowing and propagating vegetables. It is especially recommended for growing in press pots and contains black peat, LIGNOFIBRE® and substrate compost as well as an organic liquid fertiliser that ensures rapid availability of nitrogen after just a few days.