Horticulture
- Annuals and biennials
- Flowerpots
- Chrysanthemums
- Perennials
First Growing Media and
Substrates from Date Palm Residues
PalmPith is the world's first soilless growing media and substrates extracted from date palm agricultural residues.
PalmPith provides a renewable and sustainable alternative to sphagnum peat moss, which has been facing increasing regulatory pressure on its extraction.
PalmPith expands the range of peat-free soilless substrates. Resulting in more geographically dispersed economical supply, in suitable volumes and quality with minimal carbon footprint. Which fulfils the ever-increasing demand for soilless growing media by the horticulture industry, without threatening the sensitive sphagnum peatland ecosystem.
The unique features and characteristics of PalmPith make it an excellent sustainable growing media for a wide range of applications. Ranging from horticulture, floriculture, nurseries, gardening, landscaping, indoor farming, hydroponics, organic farming and lawns.
PalmPith is peat-free media obtained from renewable bioresources and which does not threaten the sensitive sphagnum peatland ecosystem. It is 100% biodegradable and compostable and has the ability to naturally degrade and return back into the environment. PalmPith is carbon dioxide neutral and consumes very low amounts of water and energy during extraction (sun-dried).
PalmPith is obtained from date palm, which is widely grown across the Middle East and North Africa, with very high populations in Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia. This close proximity to major markets in MENA and Europe minimises the transportation carbon footprint. The estimated global PalmPith availability can reach up to 1 million tonnes/year (moisture ~20%).
PalmPith is obtained from palm agricultural residues and does not require extra investment in water, fertiliser, pesticide, or land. Those residues are often regarded as agricultural waste, with zero price in the field. Valorising these residues provides an extra source of income for palm growers and generates thousands of decent jobs. In addition to, creating entire value chains within rural communities.
PalmPith has the excellent water-holding capacity and excellent airspace for better root aeration, root growth, and drainage. It has controlled pH and EC levels for the exchange of nutrients. Its spongy structure allows absorbing nutrients and slowly releasing them. It has excellent wettability and decomposes slowly, hence can be reused in multiple growing cycles.
PalmPith is free from weed seeds, pathogens, nematodes, and harmful micro-organisms. The material has up to 90% organic matter, and it is safe during handling, use and disposal. It has no traces of harmful pesticides or heavy metals.
PalmPith can be used in the same way as sphagnum peat moss and (coco peat). It doesn't require any special preparations or setup. It is available in compressed form as well as direct grow bags for easy use. It can also be easily mixed with other soilless media, fibres, or fertilisers.
PalmPith is based on a proprietary technology (UK patent pending) for extracting lignin-rich media from date palm agricultural residues. The media is characterised by a unique spongy cellular structure, with high cell rigidity and minimal fibre content, which is important to enhance the water-holding capacity.
The novel PalmPith media have been extensively tested in key laboratories in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. They were also well received by the growing media industry, through a collaboration with leading soilless growing media suppliers in Europe and the United States.
PalmPith technology contributes to the global food security by providing a sustainable peat-free soilless media, to fulfil the urgent and increasing demand for alternative media. Driven by increased crop production, transition of newer crops from soil to soilless production, a thriving mushroom industry and an increase in home gardening. PalmPith proprietary extraction technology could be applied to agricultural residues of other palm species such as oil palm, and sugar palm.
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PalmPith is developed by VALORIZEN Research and Innovation Center which is specialised in developing, scaling up and commercialising technologies to valorise sustainable materials. It is the research arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of UK-based Scaleup Innovations Holdings Limited. VALORIZEN operates in 3 core areas, including biomass valorisation, waste valorisation, as well as knowledge valorisation.
Visit WebsiteWe believe that there is a very promising future for PalmPith as a novel class of peat-free soilless substrates, with an estimated annual market worth of US$ 330 million. We are seeking partnership to scaleup and commercialise PalmPith proprietary technology. Possible partners include palm growers, soilless media mixing companies, developmental organisations, government agencies, and research funding organisations.
The scope of partnership includes but is not limited to:
For inquiries, collaboration, partnership, and trial samples,
VALORIZEN R&I Center, Cairo, Egypt