Maan Biobased Products

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Meet the developer of Growcoon and Nygaia: Maan Biobased Products

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An interview with Tjeerd de Looze, Commercial & Product Manager.

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Maan Biobased Products is the inventor of the growth and seed plug holder: Growcoon and, together with partner Klasmann-Deilmann, developer of the soon-to-be-available substrate: Nygaia. With these products - made from biodegradable materials - the two aim to provide a sustainable answer to challenges that arise in the growth process of young plants.

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What is the origin story? 

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Maan Biobased Products is part of Maan Group that was founded in 1996. Maan's roots are in coating technology. And in that, we gained far-reaching knowledge on top of technical skills. This allowed us to answer increasingly complex (coating) challenges. And that led from engineering to various product solutions based on hot-melt (bio) polymers.

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The best example is Growcoon. One day, Maan founder André Jansen was asked if he could glue potting soil into a stable growth and seed plug... But putting glue in the soil... That didn't seem such a good idea. And so, he came up with the idea of designing a kind of container based on biodegradable polymer. Which would completely decompose when its functional period expired. And so, the Growcoon, and with it Maan Biobased Products, saw the light of day.

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No result without a good substrate

In 2016, Maan Biobased Products joined forces with Klasmann-Deilmann, market leader in substrates. And with this the Growcoon became available to growers all over the world. Now, several years later, partners Klasmann-Deilmann and Maan Biobased Products are adding a second product to their portfolio. Called Nygaia. A completely inert and biodegradable substrate. And a sustainable alternative to fossil substrates. Designed with the future in mind and ideally suited for Controlled Environment Agriculture.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing Maan Biobased Products in the future?

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We as an industry, can make a big contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. Fossil raw materials, plastics and a lot of energy are being used in our industry. That must change. We believe it can be done differently. But then we need to take a critical look at the system and our resources. We believe that the future of horticulture is high-tech. Circular as much as possible. Allowing more efficient use of raw materials and land. This contributes to biodiversity on the one hand, but also allows for more local, yet intensive cultivation. At Maan Biobased Products, we develop products based on biodegradable materials. They are compostable, fit well in a high-tech growing environment and reduce waste.

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To make as much impact as possible, we are keeping a close eye on our product performance. Fact: the growth of our customer portfolio also brings new challenges... Biodegradation is a natural process and growing conditions are different everywhere. So the same Growcoon breaks down differently in one environment, than in another. The challenge for both the grower and us is to find the balance between the right Growcoon and the optimal conditions. When both are perfectly matched, the Growcoon offers endless benefits. In that process, we are still gaining a lot of knowledge. And with that, we are constantly expanding our range. With product varieties that meet the specific requirements of our customers.

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What is unique about Maan Biobased Products compared to competitors?

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It is mainly the cooperation between the various divisions within Maan Group, but also the partnership with Klasmann Deilmann that makes us unique. Maan Group is able to invent products, design, build and produce like no other. From idea to final product. We are explorers. Klasmann-Deilmann has many years of experience in horticulture and an extensive network. Together, we can make a global impact with our biodegradable solutions.

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Do you have any trends or predictions about the future of the CEA market in 2024 and beyond?

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Things must be different. And CEA, as we are convinced, is the answer to that sustainability question. But to make this a true success, we need to get the whole chain on board. Create more urgency, within the industry, but also work on consumer awareness. The knife cuts both ways. If this succeeds, CEA will become truly 'durable' in addition to sustainable.

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How can people connect with you or learn more about Maan Biobased Products?

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Visit our websites: www.maan-biobased-products.com, but above all: www.growcoon.com, www.nygaia.com

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