Terrafibre Europe sells 100% organic hemp fibre-rich growing substrates for both the professional horticulture sector and the hobby grower. The company currently sells to international companies within Europe. "We see that the Netherlands and Belgium are lagging behind in this," says Marinka Heuts, managing director at the Eindhoven-based company. The start-up wants to change this.
"Our goal is to create a completely natural and circular way of growing short-cycle crops such as cresses, lettuce, and growing up plants, among others, in both home and professional markets. We achieve this by using only 100% natural ingredients in our products. In doing so, we also offer an alternative to the stone wool substrate and peat used in cultivation greenhouses in Europe."
The waste from industrially grown hemp is the basis of Terrafibre's growing substrate. "All our products are therefore made from 100% natural fibres. After natural composting, all our products contribute to a healthy and fertile soil. In this way, Terrafibre Europe contributes to a healthy food industry and a CO2 zero-emission society," says Marinka.
Microgreens on hemp fibre growth substrate
Why are the Netherlands and Belgium still lagging behind?
"Those of us in the Netherlands and Belgium are still in the development phase of innovative products to replace stone wool substrate and peat. There are many different possibilities, but no alternative has yet been found that matches, let alone exceeds, the growth results of the fossil substrates. The influence and related conservatism fuelled by fear of change of the large horticultural companies in the Netherlands plays an important role in this. We do already see new smaller and young vertical farmers switching to innovative sustainable products."
Positive impact on customer
Many customers do already benefit from the Eindhoven-based company's growing mats, growing rollers, and other products. "At French Capsum, they grow hydroponic microgreens to create natural, efficient, and locally made active ingredients for cosmetics. They use Precision Indoor Farming techniques that require a highly controlled process and quality. That is why they chose the Terrafibre Europe hempfibre cultivation roll."
Besides achieving the sustainability and environmental goals at the French grower, it is also not unimportant for the grower that the product quality is stable. "This allows us to reproduce our growing process easily. Terrafibre's offer and support is also great. As our French team was very satisfied with the use at the R&D scale, we will use this product on a larger scale in our US production site."
Terrafibre Europe BV was founded in 2020 by Simon Bambach. Terrafibre Europe and Terrafibre products are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Canadian manufacturer BioComposites Group.
The final stage of microgreens: culinary snack
For more information:
Marinka Heuts 
Terrafibre Europe BV
Tel.: +31 6 20144405
info@terrafibreeurope.com
www.terrafibreeurope.com