Biodegradable solutions have been a hot topic for several years, but now the transition is taking place and real orders are being made, explains Przemysław Procek of Oboya Horticulture Poland. This horticultural supplies manufacturer introduced their first biodegradable sleeve three years ago and extended their line recently. At the IPM Essen, which took place last week, they officially launched their Bio-line and Paper-line products. "Now, we can offer our clients more products to choose from."
Przemysław Procek at the IPM Essen 2019 with the latest addition in the Oboya Bio-line: the sleeve.
Demand from the end consumer
According to Procek, the popularity for degradable products has been increasing for the last 4 to 5 years, and particularly last year he has seen the demand increasing. "In the Scandinavian countries it is a hot topic, and in Poland and Germany the awareness is growing. In these countries, we see that the demand originates from the end consumer - there is a desire to become more environmentally friendly. In order to meet the demands of the customers, more and more retailers are deciding to shift to biodegradable solutions. In Norway and Sweden, for example, the carry bags in the supermarkets are now made of biodegradable products. So, for the horticulture industry, there are also opportunities, and it is sometimes even necessary, to tap into this demand."
Full concept
About a year ago, Oboya started to think about ways to expand their line of biodegradable products. They already had the standard PLA foil in their assortment, but they did not find it enough choice for their clients to choose from. Seven months ago, they started up the first phase and produced the first trays in their Oboya Bio-line. Afterwards, they expanded the line with pots and sleeves and all items that are necessary, like labels and sleeves, to create a full concept." The products are all made of the same material. "It consists of 80% sugarcane, 15% chalk and 5% bio-oil. It has no GMO inside, all the bio certifications and it is biodegradable." According to Procek, these materials comply with the European standards. "The materials used are the same as for the carry bags in Norway and Sweden."
Paper sleeves
Next to the Bio-line, Oboya also showcased their new paper sleeves in their paper-line. These sleeves are made from paper and can be coated with PLA, biodolomer or biowax. "This is just another addition to our line of biodegradable products. In this way, we can offer our customers a broader assortment to choose from."
Reactions
These bio based material product lines were introduced last year, but were officially launched at the IPM Essen in Germany last week. So, several growers are already using the Bio-line pots and trays and supplying them to retailers. How are the reactions? According to Procek, the reactions from the growers and retailers are positive so far. "Next to the fact that it is a biodegradable product, the growers are pleased with the pots, trays and sleeves as they can be used in most of the machines they already have. The retailers are pleased with the all the bio certifications and that these are printed on the sleeves, and therefore visible to the end consumer."
Future
"In future, I think the assortment as well as the demand will expand. Every day, we receive more inquiries. Also at the IPM Essen this year, there was a lot of interest in our Bio-line products." According to Procek, the first step is taken and it will soon be time for the next step, informing the end user how to proceed. "These biodegradable products can just be thrown in the bio bin to be used as compost. I think this awareness still needs to be created or promoted."
For more informati
on
Oboya Horticulture Poland Sp.z o.o
A company in the Oboya Horticulture Industries Group
Przemysław Procek, chairman of the board of Oboya Horticulture Poland
Ul.Sosnowa 7
PL – 44 203 Rybnik
Poland
E-mail: przemyslaw.procek@oboya.pl
www.oboya.pl
https://www.facebook.com/OboyaPoland/