Exploring circular solutions in growing media with Ansari

Kari Silokangas, Anselmi Hakkarainen and Taina Suni at Ansari’s nursery in Luumäki, Finland

Kekkilä-BVB is committed to developing sustainable growing media by testing new circular raw materials in collaboration with its customers. One of its valued partners in this journey is Oy Ansari-Yhtymä, a Finnish ornamental plant grower and part of the Schetelig Group.

Peat has long been the trusted growing medium raw material for professional greenhouse growers. Switching to peat-free or peat-reduced substrates is challenging – alternatives rarely match peat’s performance, and cultivation methods may need a complete rethink. As Europe’s leading growing media producer, Kekkilä-BVB listens to growers worldwide and invests in long-term innovation.

Ansari has completed two rounds of testing with Kekkilä Professional’s enhanced growing media, which includes added reed canary grass, sphagnum moss, and wood fibre. The first test was conducted with poinsettias, and the second with chrysanthemums. The tests were successful. The flowers went straight to the market and lasted well. Based on the tests, Ansari is ready to continue experimenting with more circular new solutions.

Watch the videos to hear what Ansari’s CEO Anselmi Hakkarainen, Production Manager Taina Suni, and Kekkilä Professional’s Product Manager Kari Silokangas say about the environmental challenges and results of the tests.

“The key experience for Ansari and Kekkilä-BVB’s other customers has also been discovering that these new blends are not only more sustainable, they also support efficient and high-quality cultivation”, says Kari Silokangas.

See what Anselmi Hakkarainen thinks are the key environmental concerns for growers:

And what expectations he has for growing media producers:

In this video, Taina Suni reveals how the mix performed when growing poinsettias and chrysanthemums:

She tells also why the company is keen to be involved in testing as a grower:

In this clip, Kari Silokangas shares insights from the trials and the potential of these innovative materials:

Then he explains the rising demand for growing media and why we are committed to developing new alternatives that combine optimal growth performance and lifespan with a lower environmental impact:

Kekkilä-BVB focuses on finding new circular materials that combine optimal growth performance, long lifespan and lower environmental impact. Together with our partners, we’re shaping the future of sustainable horticulture.