Recyclability is again an important topic at the show. But more sustainable initiatives are on display. Varieties that require less usage of PGRs, energy and substrates with less peat are some examples. When strolling down the aisles, one can notice that the sustainable trend is appearing in all links of the chain.
Germany is one of the countries that is at the forefront of the more environmentally friendly movement. Retailers are banning the black plastic as it cannot be detected in the bin and therefore cannot be recycled. On top of that, using post-consumer plastics for packaging is being seen as the most effective and closed-loop way of recycling.
The IPM is not the show for the introduction of new varieties - the FlowerTrials in June is more dedicated to that - but the new and particularly the sustainable characteristics of the novelties of the breeders are highlighted. Important, besides the appearance, is that they contribute to the use of less resources. And one important resource that the German government wants to reduce in the coming years is their use of peat. Therefore more and more substrate recipes with less peat are on display as well.
Of course, there are much more sustainable initiatives on display that we have not discussed in this article. A large overview of solutions, as well as other products, machines, varieties, concepts and so on that were on display at the show will be given on Monday February 3, when we will publish our photo report.
Below already a little preview.
Göran Basjes and Wilhelm-Alexander Kordes presenting Con Amore, a relatively new red rose. Growers of this variety notice that this one works well with a lower light intensity.
Ralf Schilling of Kleesschulte Erden presenting "Bio-Blumenerde" - which is peat and plastic free in a paper bag.
Roland Vreugdenhil of Pöppelmann Teku presenting their recycled and recyclable solutions.
Antonio Menezes of Chrysal with Marcus Birkel of Braun, a distributor of Chrysal in Germany - presenting the compostable flower food sachets.