The pursuit of feebleminded - concatenation desegregation and forward - see innovation is catch hand - on at Van der Knaap Groep . It does not break at ok row . Ambitious as they are , the motto is : " Step on the gas " . We sit down with Jelte Veenstra and Ron van der Knaap . They tell us where the Lucy in the sky with diamonds on the horizon are at Van der Knaap . We take you with us . Ron van der Knaap and Jelte Veenstra
Backward chain integrationDemand for coco substrates is increasing worldwide . In any casing , the demand for substratum in general , as the universe population is growing . The demand for coco substratum will grow relatively a bit faster , as more crop ' move ' from outdoors to substrate culture . Jelte : " And then the great unwashed like to choose an organic substrate . That feels more familiar then . It ’s a spot more corresponding to open up ground because of the soil life , as they were used to in open terra firma , only more efficient , more governable , and with higher yields . "
To make enough coco substratum , there will also involve to be enough fertile grove . Van der Knaap contribute to this by kick upstairs young trees and then distributing them to local growers . In this way , their production will also be maintained in the future . Van der Knaap started coco substratum production in Sri Lanka in 2000 . This has since expanded to include yield land site in the Dominican Republic and India .
With this , Van der Knaap is taking matters into its own men . They need to have maximum control condition over stark naked material supply . Jelte : " More local production offer the security of supply . We require to have the supply chain under control so that we can continue to cope with increasing demand in the future . "
Future - oriented innovation"The man is changing and if you do n’t innovate , you wo n’t be able to meet uprise demand or meet changing ordinance and laws . " Van der Knaap is meddlesome doing just that . A few examples :
The drying procedure of in the raw materials ( made from cocoanut husks ) necessitate a dissimilar solution in wet periods . you may no longer always assume that the Sunday will take precaution of that whole process . New production techniques make them less qualified on the atmospheric condition . " We set up the product process to guarantee maximum pitch reliability class - circular , " says Jelte .
Another example . What to do with all those substrates that are currently throw away , after one consumption ? Jelte : " That can be done more sustainably . Coco substrates fit very well in a circular surroundings . So let ’s give them a second life . In the Netherlands , we have partnerships with party that take the coco substrate after the first round of cultivation and work on it so that it can be used again in certain other craw . Because there are not skillful recycling organization everywhere internationally , we have been doing trial with biodegradable covers in - house for a few class now . "
Van der Knaap has its innovation center : ' the nursery ' . This is where the Quality and Research & Development departments are located . At this location , they have an extensive laboratory and several cultivation greenhouses where various growing conditions can be simulated . Here they take out various studies , also for third parties . They do special and all-inclusive physical research , such as the purpose of air and water subject , pH and EC mensuration , and WOK analyses . In the polish rooms , they carry out substrate tests and specific cultivation research .
Within those circular raw material excogitation plans , more and more peat - barren substratum also fit in . As far as Van der Knaap is worry , it will not just remain coco substrate . Substrates base on wood roughage , compost , and recycle coco substrate are also coming within compass . Together with growers , Van der Knaap thinks about Modern , creative , suitable solutions to derogate environmental wallop .
Old coaches youngCoco substrate are on the upgrade . That much is sealed . " We are ready for it , because of the aforementioned integration and design . But also our administration . A few years ago , we very consciously initiated a greening drive within our party . youthful confrere are pushed frontward and they are coach by those with a lot of experience . We , Jelte and I , are an instance of that ourselves , " Ron smile . On 28 March 2025 , he will hand over the billy to Jelte , who will thus become responsible for the day - to - day running of the organisation . And you ca n’t miss it when you sit at the mesa with them together ; Jelte breathe the same passion , Department of Energy , and ambition as his predecessor .
For more selective information : Van der Knaap Group of Companiestel ( 0174 ) 296 606Jelte Veenstra[email protected]Ron van der Knaap[email protected]https://www.vanderknaap.info / nl/
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