Klasmann-Deilmann acquires patented gel plug
Acquisition of US manufacturer VelociGro strengthens innovative capacity in young plant cultivation
Klasmann-Deilmann has acquired the US company VelociGro from US investor Ospraie. VelociGro is known as a producer of innovative gel plugs. The acquisition secures important patents and expanded expertise in the development of forward-looking solutions for young plant production for Klasmann-Deilmann. The relevant contracts have now been signed.
“We are undergoing a profound transformation process,” says Moritz Böcking, Managing Director of the Klasmann-Deilmann Group. “Our customers expect solutions that meet ecological requirements, are economically viable and can be seamlessly integrated into existing production systems. This is exactly where we come in with the acquisition of VelociGro.” The acquisition is therefore not an isolated investment, but part of the long-term corporate strategy: “We see ourselves as a system provider. Substrates remain our core business. At the same time, we are specifically expanding our portfolio with technologies that offer our customers even greater performance and crop security.”
“Klasmann-Deilmann and Ospraie share a common vision for the horticulture of tomorrow,” says Jason Mraz, Co-Founder and President of Ospraie Management. “Businesses need competitive, efficient and sustainable solutions. Under the umbrella of Ospraie, VelociGro has developed the Gel-Plug, and under the umbrella of Klasmann-Deilmann, the plugs will be distributed worldwide in the future.”
At the heart of the acquisition of VelociGro is a patented gel plug technology for young plant cultivation. The gel plugs are made from natural, compostable materials and provide a consistent, sterile and reliable environment for germination and early plant growth. The products are particularly suitable for seedlings and can be used in all common cultivation methods – right up to modern indoor cultivation systems.
“With the gel plugs, we are expanding our portfolio with an innovative product that bridges the gap between classic substrates and highly specialised solutions and offers great potential for young plant cultivation,” says Sebastian Kipp, Director of Innovation at Klasmann-Deilmann. The sustainability aspect is not the only decisive factor here: “A new solution must also be economically viable. Our gel plug technology enables resource-efficient production while ensuring high process reliability and competitiveness,” says Sebastian Kipp.
Extensive trials in various crops – from vegetable seedlings and ornamental plants to specialised crops – have shown that germination rates, root development and crop homogeneity are always at least on a par with established systems and in many cases even exceed them. “By integrating this technology into our existing production and consulting structures, we are creating a platform for further innovation,” says Sebastian Kipp. “This is an important component of our long-term R&D strategy.”
“Innovation does not happen by chance,” says Damian Ikemann, Managing Director of the Klasmann-Deilmann Group. “It requires strategic decisions and the courage to break new ground. With this step, we are underlining our commitment to actively shaping the development of modern cultivation systems. The gel plugs take us a decisive step further in this direction: we can now combine patented expertise with global production and sales competence. We will scale the new solutions and make them available internationally.”
In a first step, the gel plug technology will be introduced in selected pilot projects with major international customers. At the same time, an interdisciplinary team is working on production capacities and integration into existing product lines and consulting concepts.
“The aim is to offer our customers a reliable, economically viable and future-proof cultivation system,” summarises Moritz Böcking. “With the acquisition of VelociGro, we have laid an important foundation for this.”