The world of flowers and plants continues to evolve, and Oerlemans Plastics is keeping pace. With over 25 years of experience in biodegradable film, the company is introducing biodegradable nursery bags to the market.
"The biodegradable nursery bags are essentially a modern reintroduction of a successful product from the past," says Piet van den Oord of Oerlemans Plastics. "In the past, plants were often grown in similar bags, but those weren't biodegradable. Later, growers switched to sturdier pots because they were easier to handle with machines. However, we're now seeing renewed interest in nursry bags because they're practical for cultivating plants without the need for repotting."
Material makes the difference
The material of the nursery bags is what sets them apart. "The base material for this film is PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate)," Piet explains. "It's largely derived from renewable sources such as cornstarch and sugarcane and naturally breaks down in the environment. The main advantage of this material is that the film degrades consistently and in a controlled manner."
The bags are 50 to 80 mm thick and designed to last at least a year above ground. "After that, the degradation process accelerates once the bag is buried. On average, it takes about six months for the bag to fully decompose, depending on factors like light, oxygen, temperature, and humidity. What remains is just CO₂, water, and humus," Piet adds.
Practical benefits for growers and consumers
Biodegradable nursery bags offer practical advantages for growers. "Compared to other solutions, the bags are cost-effective because they use less material, making them economically attractive," says Piet. "There's already significant interest from abroad, where manual labor is still common, making it easier to integrate the use of these bags."
For growers, the bags also simplify processes. "They're ideal for cultivating annual plants or smaller saplings. Since repotting isn't necessary, it eliminates an extra step," Piet notes.
For consumers, using biodegradable nursery bags reduces waste. The plant material, along with the bag, can be planted directly, eliminating plastic waste. Additionally, there's less risk of root damage compared to removing a plastic pot.
A changing market
While grow bags aren't yet in widespread use, Piet sees plenty of potential. "We're seeing demand particularly among specialized growers and markets where practical solutions are crucial. Municipal organizations are also showing interest."
He emphasizes that using these bags requires a shift in workflow. "It doesn't always fit seamlessly into existing systems, but growers exploring new possibilities quickly recognize the benefits. Moreover, it aligns with the changing needs of the sector."
This week, Oerlemans Plastics will showcase the biodegradable nursery bag at the IPM (Hall 3, 3B13) in Essen, where visitors can view it firsthand at their booth.
For more information
Oerlemans Plastics
Industrieweg 7
4283 GX Giessen, the Netherlands
Tel.: +31 416 358 100
[email protected]
www.oerlemansplastics.nl