New Class of Soilless Growing Media
PalmPeat is the world’s first soilless growing media and substrates extracted from date palm agricultural residues.
PalmPeat provides a renewable and sustainable alternative to sphagnum peat moss, which has been facing increasing regulatory pressure on its extraction.
PalmPeat 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 fulfills the ever-increasing demand for soilless growing media by the horticulture industry, without threatening the sensitive sphagnum peatland ecosystem.
Grades
PalmPeat
Has a uniform texture with high water-holding capacity and high porosity, providing good drainage while retaining moisture and enabling healthier root growth
PalmMulch
Has brown natural color and decorative appearance, which preserves humidity and limits rapid evaporation during summer, it prevents erosion and limits weeds growth
PalmChips
Chipped into small sized chips that promotes aeration of substrates and allows easy repotting. It’s ideal for growing orchids and for balancing air to water ratio for different applications
Products
Growbags
Wrapped in ready to use plastic bags in different sizes and can be supplied with planting, dripping and drainage holes and can be reused in multiple growing cycles
Blocks
Compressed blocks in various sizes are very easy to use and cost-effective in transportation. They easily expand and transform into fluffy PalmPeat by adding water
Pellets
Pressed discs of PalmPeat are ideal for starting seedlings and floriculture crops. The compressed discs expand easily to their original size after adding water
Applications
The unique features and characteristics of PalmPeat 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.
Horticulture
Annuals and biennials
Flowerpots
Chrysanthemums
Perennials
Nursery
Plants/ shrubs in containers
Plant propagation
Perennial plants
Vine plants in containers
Landscape
Green roof
Green wall
Flowering
Sports fields
Berries
Strawberry
Raspberry
Blueberry
Blackberry
Specialty Crops
Orchards
Mushrooms farming
Aromatics herbs
Mulching
Annual
Perennials
Vegetables
Animal bedding
Features and Benefits
Sustainable & Renewable
PalmPeat 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. PalmPeat is carbon dioxide neutral and consumes very low amounts of water and energy during extraction (sun-dried).
Geographically Dispersed
PalmPeat 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 minimizes the transportation carbon footprint. The estimated global PalmPeat availability can reach up to 1 million tons/year (moisture ~20%).
Economical
PalmPeat is obtained from palm agricultural residues and does not require extra investment in water, fertilizer, pesticide, or land. Those residues are often regarded as agricultural waste, with zero price in the field. Valorizing 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.
Ideal Performance
PalmPeat 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.
Safe
PalmPeat 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.
Compatible
PalmPeat 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, fibers, or fertilizers.
Resource of The Future
Five reasons why date palm is the resource of the future
- Highly tolerant to difficult environmental conditions.
- Very important for food and nutrition security in deserts and drylands.
- Its agricultural residues are considered renewable resources of biomaterials for many applications.
- The utilization of its agricultural residues is part of a long technical heritage.
- The main source of livelihood for a big proportion of the world population.
Technology
PalmPeat is based on a proprietary technology (UK patent pending) for extracting lignin-rich media from date palm agricultural residues. The media is characterized by a unique spongy cellular structure, with high cell rigidity and minimal fiber content, which is important to enhance the water-holding capacity.
The novel PalmPeat 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.
PalmPeat technology contributes to the global food security by providing a sustainable peat-free soilless media, to fulfill 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. PalmPeat proprietary extraction technology could be applied to agricultural residues of other palm species such as oil palm, and sugar palm.
Developer
PalmPeat is developed by VALORIZEN Research and Innovation Center which is specialized in developing, scaling up and commercializing technologies to valorize 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 valorization, waste valorization, as well as knowledge valorization.
Partnership Opportunities
We believe that there is a very promising future for PalmPeat 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 commercialize PalmPeat proprietary technology. Possible partners include palm growers, soilless media mixing companies, developmental organizations, government agencies, and research funding organizations.
The scope of partnership includes but is not limited to:
- Joint venturing
- Technology licensing
- Product development
- Research collaboration
Contact Us
For inquiries, collaboration, partnership, and trial samples,
VALORIZEN R&I Center, Cairo, Egypt