The pursuit of backward-chain integration and forward-looking innovation is getting hands-on at Van der Knaap Groep. It does not stop at fine words. Ambitious as they are, the motto is: "Step on the gas". We sit down with Jelte Veenstra and Ron van der Knaap. They tell us where the dots on the horizon are at Van der Knaap. We take you with us.
Ron van der Knaap and Jelte Veenstra
Backward chain integration
Demand for coco substrates is increasing worldwide. In any case, the demand for substrates in general, as the world population is growing. The demand for coco substrate will grow relatively a bit faster, as more crops 'move' from outdoors to substrate cultivation. Jelte: "And then people like to choose an organic substrate. That feels more familiar then. It's a bit more comparable to open ground because of the soil life, as they were used to in open ground, only more efficient, more controllable, and with higher yields."
To make enough coco substrate, there will also need to be enough productive plantations. Van der Knaap contributes to this by raising young trees and then distributing them to local growers. In this way, their production will also be maintained in the future. Van der Knaap started coco substrate production in Sri Lanka in 2000. This has since expanded to include production sites in the Dominican Republic and India.
And by the end of 2025, production will start in the Philippines. Initially, they will make raw materials there for the substrate market, later expanding to include value-added products, such as coconut substrate mats. Van der Knaap will also join forces with the Philippines Coconut Authority to supply local growers with young coconut palms. This will enable them to supplement or expand their plantations. At the time of this publication, preparations are being made for the construction of the plant; the road leading to it is now being built. Thus, employment opportunities are also being created there.
With this, Van der Knaap is taking matters into its own hands. They want to have maximum control over raw material supply. Jelte: "More local production offers the security of supply. We want to have the supply chain under control so that we can continue to cope with increasing demand in the future." 
Future-oriented innovation
"The world is changing and if you don't innovate, you won't be able to meet rising demand or meet changing regulations and laws." Van der Knaap is busy doing just that. A few examples:
The drying process of raw materials (made from coconut husks) requires a different solution in wet periods. You can no longer always assume that the sun will take care of that whole process. New production techniques make them less dependent on the weather. "We set up the production process to guarantee maximum delivery reliability year-round," says Jelte.
Another example. What to do with all those substrates that are currently thrown away, after one use? Jelte: "That can be done more sustainably. Coco substrates fit very well in a circular environment. So let's give them a second life. In the Netherlands, we have partnerships with parties that take the coco substrate after the first round of cultivation and process it so that it can be used again in certain other crops. Because there are not good recycling systems everywhere internationally, we have been doing trials with biodegradable covers in-house for a few years now."
Van der Knaap has its innovation center: 'the Greenhouse'. This is where the Quality and Research & Development departments are located. At this location, they have an extensive laboratory and several cultivation greenhouses where various growing conditions can be simulated. Here they carry out various studies, also for third parties. They do limited and extensive physical research, such as the determination of air and water content, pH and EC measurements, and WOK analyses. In the cultivation rooms, they carry out substrate tests and specific cultivation research.
Within those circular raw material innovation plans, increasingly peat-free substrates also fit in. As far as Van der Knaap is concerned, it will not just remain coco substrate. Substrates based on wood fiber, compost, and recycled coco substrate are also coming within reach. Together with growers, Van der Knaap thinks about new, creative, suitable solutions to minimize environmental impact.
Old coaches young
Coco substrates are on the rise. That much is certain. "We are ready for it, because of the aforementioned integration and innovation. But also our organization. A few years ago, we very consciously initiated a rejuvenation drive within our company. Younger colleagues are pushed forward and they are coached by those with a lot of experience. We, Jelte and I, are an example of that ourselves," Ron smiles. On 1 January 2025, he will hand over the baton to Jelte, who will thus become responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization. And you can't miss it when you sit at the table with them together; Jelte breathes the same passion, energy, and ambition as his predecessor.
For more information:
Van der Knaap Group of Companies
tel (0174) 296 606
Jelte Veenstra
[email protected]
Ron van der Knaap
[email protected]
https://www.vanderknaap.info/nl/