“A responsible supply chain has to take the workforce and the surrounding community into account”

For HortGrow, the story behind coco coir starts long before the growing medium reaches the greenhouse. From sourcing coconut husks to processing, water management, energy use, and workforce welfare, the company is taking a closer look at the different steps involved in producing coco for professional horticulture.

“We believe it is important to look at the entire process, not just the final product,” says Chris Vaos, director of business development, plant health consultant and horticultural engineer. “That means paying attention to how the material is sourced and processed, as well as to the people and resources involved along the way.”

He elaborates that the processing operation in Tamil Nadu, India, is central to this approach. Raw coconut husks are aged, washed, screened, blended, and prepared for different horticultural applications. Water management is an important part of the process. Rainwater harvesting helps reduce the operation’s reliance on groundwater, while wastewater is collected and treated through reverse osmosis for reuse where possible.

These practices also have a direct connection to substrate quality, according to Chris. “Good water management is important for the resources involved, but it also contributes to producing a clean and consistent substrate. That consistency is ultimately important for growers and their crops.”

Energy use is another area receiving attention. Solar energy generation at the processing facility helps offset part of the electricity required for handling, screening, drying, compression and packaging.

The people working at the facility are another part of the picture. The operation provides local employment, with a majority female workforce, and focuses on training, safe working conditions and wages above minimum requirements. “The people behind the product are just as important as the processes themselves,” Chris explains. “A responsible supply chain has to take the workforce and the surrounding community into account.”

HortGrow is OMRI certified and ISO certified. The certifications cover different aspects of production, from requirements for organic growing inputs to social and ethical standards.

Traceability and consistency are also important considerations. HortGrow works with production partner HortBio Technologies in India, providing oversight from raw material sourcing through manufacturing. Factors including aging, washing, particle size, fiber content, buffering, and moisture can all influence how coco behaves in the root zone.

“Coco is not simply a raw material that can be treated the same way every time,” says Chris. “The way it is processed has a direct influence on how it performs in the crop.”

For HortGrow, the focus is therefore on improving the process at several levels, from water and energy use at the source to working conditions, certifications, and quality control.

As Chris puts it, “Our goal is to produce coco that growers can rely on, while making sure the process behind it is handled with care and responsibility.”

For more information:
HortGrow Solutions
Email: [email protected]
www.hortgrow.com