Biobased substrate compost: a high quality circular ingredient for potting soil

Successful test with bio-based substrate compost at Wageningen University & Research with Begonias
Type of organisation or company
Country
Netherlands
City
Venlo
Language for original content
Project elaborated in partnership
No
Ongoing
Yes
Type of funding
Attero - Sef Welles
Description

Attero introduces a new high quality product that is used as ingredient for substrates and potting soils: biobased substrate compost. The process for achieving this quality is unique in the world of compost production. The raw materials that Attero uses to make the new product are subjected to a comprehensive cleaning and composting process. The end product complies with the strict criteria imposed by potting soil companies, including the RHP Certificate. The production process was developed in-house, and the circulation of water plays a crucial role in this innovation. This development was the result of a four-year research programme. The resulting end product was tested by Wageningen University & Research and by potting-soil companies. Nationally and internationally, Attero is the first manufacturer to produce this new organic material on an industrial scale. The company now plays a significantly greater part in the circular economy by making a positive contribution to limiting CO2 emissions.

Main results
  • A new ingredient for potting soil is created. The quality is suitable for consumer potting soils as well as for horticulture substrates;
  • The CO2 reduction of the organic waste processing is increased from 36 kg CO2 per tonne of waste processed to 284 kg CO2 per ton of waste. The main reason for this increase in CO2 reduction is that biobased substrate compost supplants peat, which emits a lot of CO2 when produced;
  • The total CO2 reduction of the Attero composting plant in Venlo is now over 25.000 tonnes of CO2 per year.