"Tutoring is an important and recurring practice in greenhouses. However, it is not easy to find twines that don't crush the plant while also being compostable and easy to use," says José Miguel Góngora, Marketing Director at Exibas.The company started developing biodegradable twines after customers increasingly asked for sustainable crops. The search resulted in a collaboration with Hilaturas Mar, and the introduction of Hilaturas' Biotwines in different farms in Spain, France, and Italy.
José states that sustainable twines are important for Exibas: "We are working to introduce and develop reliable solutions that are sustainable and that reduce the environmental impact of floriculture, horticultural and gardening practices. At the same time the twines should also improve farming and competitiveness. Finding this kind of twines is not necessarily an easy task: "We have tested different biodegradable twines, and have conducted research into finding good solutions. However, we weren't happy with the results."
However, this changed after the Exibas team got in touch with Hilaturas Mar. José says: "Rafael Barcelo has received us in Hilaturas Mar Factory where we talk about development and collaboration and in a natural way we started a collaboration. We trialed their twines, and received very positive feedback from our customers. Thanks to this feedback we were able to develop this new eco-friendly option, Hilaturas' Biotwines, which perfectly aligned with our values.
When asked what makes the Hilaturas'Biontwines stand out, José points to their versatility and performance, saying: "The Hilaturas' Biotwines are suitable for almost any horticultural and floricultural crops because the twines are available in different thicknesses and resistances. According to the experience of our farmers Bio twine 1500m/kg (25kg/f) can be used for supporting paprika peppers in greenhouses. For heavier tutoring, like tomato plant, they are using Bio twine 1200m/kg (36 kg/f) to ensure optimal plant support and crop growth. If it's necessary to use more resistant the 840m/kg (48 kg/f) twine can be used. The twines can also be used in combination with a color identification system which helps to prevent confusion.
Moreover, the Hilaturas' Biotwines consist of a new fiber that has mechanical properties thanks to a high tenacity filament. It's a durable and sustainable alternative to plastic PP raffia, and Hilaturas bio twine is certified as 100% Home Compost and Soil biodegradable. When we compare it to other sustainable twines in the market, this twine stands out for its very low elongation. Thanks to these twines our customers were able to improve their yields while simplifying their compost and cleanup processes. In other words, the twines offer farmers a sustainable solution that also enhances their competitiveness as it the twines significantly reduce time and costs."
José expects that the cooperation with Hilturas is there to be continued: "We do not only appreciate the outstanding results of the twines, but also Hilaturas' professional and attentive services. This combination helps us in our efforts to change cultivation practices to make them more sustainable. I think we will cooperate together for many years. Our future collaboration with Hilaturas looks promising. Currently, we are introducing the Hilaturas' Biotwines in other markets, and to apply it to different crops. What's more, we are cooperating a very high resistant twine (80 kg), as well as another sustainable solution for vineyards.
"Government actions regarding recycling, and sustainability are important but not enough. We all have to educate ourselves so that sectors can change their practices. With Hilaturas Mar we are trying to dos so for the agricultural sector. We are searching for the best ways in which we can grow in the future," José concludes.
For more information:
Rafael Barceló
Hilaturas Mar
[email protected]