Did you know that between 65-70 million m³ of peat or other growth media are used every year? This is equivalent to approximately 5.5 million truckloads. But do you know how much of this is recycled? Almost none.
The reason peat and coconut fiber (hereafter referred to as substrate) have become so popular is that they are clean, homogeneous growing media, completely free of fungi and other pests. Substrate is increasingly used for the production of fruits, plants, and vegetables in greenhouses as an alternative to soil. The problem is that after just one season, it can no longer be guaranteed to be clean. Therefore, producers cannot risk reusing the substrate, as this could lead to poor yields risk farmers cannot afford to take. This is, of course, not sustainable. Fortunately, there is a solution.
Innovative Collaboration for Sustainable Production
In collaboration with the research department of one of Europe’s most renowned strawberry regions, Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, SoilSteam has conducted tests to enable the reuse of substrates. Peter Melis, Strawberry researcher at Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, is very optimistic:
— We have a strong focus on sustainability in our production. Nevertheless, it is a fact that much of strawberry production takes place in substrates that are not reused due to disease presence. There are significant environmental issues related to the extraction of peat-based substrates and therefore heat treatment and reuse may be key to more sustainable production. After assisting SoilSteam during testing, I have high hopes that this method can make reuse possible, says Melis.
Promising Tests with SoilSaver 5
Proefcentrum Hoogstraten and SoilSteam have collaborated to steam-treat 10 m³ of substrate that has already been used in strawberry production. After steaming, researchers at Hoogstraten will attempt to grow new strawberries in the heat-treated substrate and compare the results with strawberries grown in fresh and reused substrate. External research shows that steaming of peat might give good results – something we now aim to verify. SoilSteam are ready to start serial production of the machine if the results are good.
Potential for Global Impact
If the results are positive, this could open up entirely new opportunities for sustainable substrate reuse. Oddbjørn Bergem, CEO of SoilSteam, says:
— We have been steaming soil for many years, but it is exciting to gain more experience with this type of substrate. The operation itself went according to plan, and we are fortunate to work with such a dedicated team at Proefcentrum Hoogstraten. Here, we will obtain solid documentation on whether steam-treated substrate performs as well as new substrate. SoilSaver 5 is a custom made machine for the substrate market according to Bergem.
Zero CO₂ Emissions with New Technology
The steaming in Hoogstraten, Belgium, was carried out using the brand-new SoilSaver 5 machine from SoilSteam. This is a 100% electric machine, which means the process is entirely CO₂-free. This makes the technology a sustainable alternative that not only reduces the environmental impact associated with substrate production but also the reuse process itself.
See a short movie of the process here