Koppert Cress wants to take the next step and grow entirely emission-free in the coming years. The company is, therefore, fully committed to innovation by collaborating with promising startups and inspiring the rest of the sector to follow suit. Koppert Cress has therefore decided to create a new company that will 100% focus on its sustainable innovations: Division Q.
Background
For many years, sustainable innovations have been an important pillar in the success of Monster-based greenhouse farming company Koppert Cress. For instance, Koppert Cress was one of the very first large-scale users of LED lighting and made unique use of heat and cold storage, solar thermic- and aqua thermic energy. The company also likes to open its doors to startups to pioneer their new greenhouse technologies. In 2016, this already earned Koppert Cress the Koning Willem I Plaquette as the Netherlands' most sustainable SME company.
For the future, Koppert Cress is setting the bar higher. Besides, growth in the sales of cresses and specialties is making the company even more sustainable and an explicit part of its business plan. By 2025, the company wants to be CO2 neutral, no longer use fossil fuels, and discharge only clean water. In other words, cultivation will be completely emission-free. To achieve this goal, Koppert Cress is launching a new sister company: Division Q. All sustainable innovation projects at Koppert Cress will be carried out by Division Q. And as an impact investor in promising startups, Division Q will also actively engage in sharing these techniques and experiences with the rest of the horticultural sector.
This new division is a wink to Q, the clever inventor from the James Bond series. Not only did Q actually exist, but he advised Bond writer Ian Flemming. Q also stands for 'Quartermaster,' which is precisely the role Division Q is taking on.
Activities
Based on international standards for CO2 emissions, Division Q initiates and realizes projects to reduce Koppert Cress's emissions. In addition to its own developments, such as solar thermal energy and bioreactors for water purification, it collaborates with Division Q intensively with startups. In recent years, PATS (drones), Thermeleon (heat batteries), PAR+ (coating) and BBBLS (insulation), and a handful of others have tested and scaled up their innovations at Koppert Cress.
Division Q wants to make an impact across the sector. Therefore, the company will not only carry out innovation projects focused on Koppert Cress but also make these techniques available to the rest of the horticultural sector. Division Q will participate as an early-stage investor in promising startups. Together with partners, Division Q will also roll out its own innovations through licenses.
Product developer Bart van Meurs will lead Division Q. He has worked on technical innovations within Koppert Cress since 2010 and has also led various, mostly sustainability-oriented innovation projects in greenhouse horticulture. Naturally, Van Meurs will work closely with Rob Baan.
Launch
The official launch of Division Q took place on Wednesday, 28 September. All parties that have a role in Division Q's projects were present in Monster: startups, other partners, and facilitating companies. After introductory words from Rob Baan, Bart van Meurs and the management of Koppert Cress, the companies themselves took the floor. Inspiring introductions followed in one-minute pitches, which were followed up during the drinks. The glass could be raised to a promising start for Division Q.
For more information:
Koppert Cress
www.koppertcress.com