Gramoflor sets benchmark with HORTICERT certification
As the first substrate manufacturer with focus on professional horticulture
GRAMOFLOR is the first substrate manufacturer with a focus on professional horticulture to receive HORTICERT certification, underlining its commitment to sustainable solutions in the industry. The ceremonial presentation of the certificate took place at the HORTICERT Stakeholder Workshop on 10.10.2024 in Berlin.
HORTICERT is an international certification system to ensure ecological, social and economic sustainability criteria for peat substitutes as well as for growing media and potting soils, along the entire value chain.
The system was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) as part of the Climate Action Plan 2050 and the Peat Reduction Strategy. Meo Carbon Solutions GmbH (MCS) was commissioned by the BMEL to develop and implement the international certification system. The project sponsor is the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR). The audit itself was carried out by an independent certification body, which analysed the processes of the Gramoflor company weeks ago and assessed them positively in accordance with the specifications.
With the HORTICERT certification, GRAMOFLOR is taking a decisive step closer to its most important corporate goal: intensifying the use of sustainable and climate-friendly peat substitutes while respecting crop safety.
By receiving the certificate, the company can now demonstrably implement this and now has the opportunity to substantiate sustainability in practice. At the same time, the company is a pioneer in professional horticulture and thus sets standards for the future.
Therefore, it was the natural consequence for GRAMOFLOR to accompany and support HORTICERT constructively from the very beginning.
Ceremonial award ceremony in Berlin
The 7th HORTICERT Stakeholder Workshop on October 10 at BMEL House 2 in Berlin provided the appropriate setting for the official presentation of the certificate. As the person responsible for sustainable product development, Ulrike Fockenberg was not only able to personally receive the certificate as a representative of Gramoflor. She also reported on valuable experience gained during the audit as a pilot partner and stakeholder.
“From the very beginning, Gramoflor has made a point of creating a comprehensive certification system that independently evaluates peat substitutes in terms of their ecological and social characteristics,” she reports. “This is particularly groundbreaking for an objective assessment of raw materials and residues with regard to their sustainable origin, as is the case with coconut, for example.”
Gramoflor strongly supports and pushes for the certification of other peat substitutes. For a successful reduction of peat in commercial horticulture, it is essential to be able to use different raw materials to ensure crop safety. Both quality and quantity are crucial in order to be able to replace peat in the required quantity.
The HORTICERT certification will contribute to the safety of the peat reduction process on a fact-based basis and thus offer real added value to horticulture as a whole.
