SIRANE is heading for IPM Essen in Germany later this month – Europe’s largest horticultural trade show – with some sustainable horticultural packaging solutions.
We’ve taken a small booth within one of the UK Pavilions (Hall 3) organised by the Commercial Horticultural Association… and among other things, will be showing off our Earthboard plant pots and Earthboard sapling protectors.
Sirane’s horticultural division offers products such as compostable plant pots, absorbent water-retaining flower pouches, and compostable flower wrap – and Earthboard has been a recent addition to our horticultural range.
Karl Heggarty, Sales Manager for Horticultural, said: “We’ve really developed our horticultural range during 2019, particularly with our sustainable Earthboard solutions, and so IPM Essen seemed the next logical step forward. With 54,000 visitors and more than 1,500 exhibitors, it’s always a busy show.
“Eco-friendly packaging is currently a big driver in the market, and that’s where companies like Sirane can really come into their own. We already had a range of compostable products, including plant pots, flower pouches and flower-wraps.
“But Earthboard is the next step. Earthboard is a water-resistant board, which we can form into plant pots, and into sapling protectors. The board is 100% sustainable and 100% compostable – so can be used to replace single-use plastic.
“We’ve spent the year developing and fine-tuning the products, to make sure they meet the criteria needed by customers, and can share all our findings on shelf-life etc.
“We’re also a development company, so if the product needed is not there yet – or is slightly different to an existing product – let us know, we may well be able to help.
“We’d also be happy to talk about the Earthpouch range – plastic-free packaging solutions which are easily recyclable as part of the paper stream, and come with barrier and high barrier alternatives – these pouches and films could be ‘green’ solutions for anyone packing seeds, bulbs, fertilisers, plant food etc.”
A 2019 survey by Horticulture Week revealed that 87% of the UK’s local authorities questioned do not recycle plant pots – meaning millions end up in landfill.
And with changes to packaging laws also coming into effect in Germany last year which could significantly affect the commercial viability of plastic plant pots, there may well be serious interest in products offering a genuine alternative.
Simon Balderson, Sirane MD, said: “Sirane’s Earthboard plant pot range is a great alternative to plastic – and of course removes the issue over the question of recycling the pot, the whole thing can just be planted in the ground. Whether it is the UK or Germany, it is fundamentally the same questions being asked here…
“Is there an alternative to plastic plant pots? Well yes, there is, and not only that but they have a positive effect on the plants that are planted within them.
“As the walls of the compostable plant pot will store and hold some water, the pots will actually help and protect the plants during the first few weeks. They also help protect plants from root damage, as the roots needn’t be disturbed.
“Sirane’s Earthboard sapling protectors are another great solution. Travel around the country, and you’ll see plastic sapling protectors are everywhere. These are the sorts of products that can help eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics.”
Also in the Earth Packaging range is Earthfilm Resolve, a bio-polymer film made from a sustainable source which is 100% compostable, and can be used as a flower-wrap, and Earthpack Resolve, compostable water-retaining flower pouches.
In addition, we can offer Earthmats Resolve, a natural growing media suitable for cress, herbs, mustard etc, and which is an effective replacement for peat.
IPM Essen runs from January 28-31, and the Commercial Horticultural Association stand can be found on the UK Pavilion in Hall 3, booth 3B37.
For more information or appointments/visit requests, contact Karl Heggarty on 01952 230055 or email karl.heggarty@sirane.com
