BVB Substrates
BVB Substrates is a Dutch manufacturer of professional crop-specific growing media and mushroom casing soil, serving commercial greenhouse growers across berries, leafy greens, ornamentals, propagation, and medical cannabis in over 100 countries through its parent Kekkilä-BVB.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersMaasland, Netherlands
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BVB Substrates does
BVB Substrates is a Dutch professional growing-media manufacturer, founded in 1908 (brand established 1967) and headquartered in De Lier, Netherlands. Since 2019 it has operated as one of two flagship product brands of Kekkilä-BVB, the European market leader for professional greenhouse growers formed by the merger of BVB Substrates with Finnish supplier Kekkilä. The company manufactures crop-specific substrates from European peat (block peat, blonde peat, black peat), cocopeat, wood fiber, perlite, bark, and proprietary raw materials, produced via vertical block-peat extraction, advanced dust-removal and screening systems, and quality-controlled mixing. It operates five production sites in the Netherlands, six research laboratories, and modern phytotrons and trial greenhouses for R&D, with sustained partnerships with Wageningen University & Research, HAS University of Applied Sciences, and Proefcentrum Hoogstraten.
The product portfolio spans six primary lines: Berry growing media (Strawberry Excellent/Premium, Blueberry Excellent/Green, Raspberry & Blackberry Excellent), the HYDRO product family for hydroponic lettuce and herb cultivation (Fit, Turbo, Sprout, Boost variants), Mushroom casing soil (BVB Basic/Excellent Light/Medium/Heavy and BVB Green Plus), the TRAY and ORCHID propagation lines, the PRO medical-cannabis line (Cuttings, Buds, Stock), and specialty products including BVB TopClean organic covering and BVB Accretio Sphagnum-based sustainable raw material. Every product can be custom-formulated to grower specifications.
Revenue is generated through direct, consultative B2B sales of tailor-made growing media, with no published pricing — customers contact the company and are routed to regional Sales Advisors who analyze farm conditions and provide custom quotes. Sales Advisors, who are themselves growers by background, serve professional growers across North America, Latin America, Europe, Eastern Europe and Africa, and Asia-Pacific/Oceania. The company sells through regional Sales Managers (Victor Gonzalez for the US, Gonçalo Fonseca for Latin America/Iberia, Talitha Timmerman for Eastern Europe/Africa, Olli-Matti Toivanen for Asia-Pacific/Oceania) and a direct customer-service operation, with distribution reaching more than 100 countries via the Kekkilä-BVB parent.
BVB Substrates firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BVB Substrates
- Legal name
- Kekkilä-BVB
- Website
- https://bvb-substrates.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- BVB Substrates is a Dutch manufacturer of professional crop-specific growing media and mushroom casing soil, serving commercial greenhouse growers across berries, leafy greens, ornamentals, propagation, and medical cannabis in over 100 countries through its parent Kekkilä-BVB.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BVB Substrates industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Growing Media and Substrates
- NAICS
- Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (1114), Mushroom Production (111411)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mushroom & Fungi Production (Indoor/Protected) (AFAGAHAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mushroom Farming (Button, Oyster, Shiitake) (AFAGADAJ), Biological Formulation, Fermentation & Scale-Up Manufacturing (AFABAEAM)
Keywords
Where BVB Substrates is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maasland
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
BVB Substrates business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Growing Media / Substrate Sales: BVB Substrates generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of professional growing media and mushroom casing soil to professional growers worldwide. Products are sold both as standard crop-specific formulations and as tailor-made mixtures customized to individual grower conditions. Pricing is provided via Sales Advisor consultation — no public price list is published.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom/tailor-made growing media |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
BVB Substrates product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BVB Substrates manufactures and supplies tailor-made professional growing media (substrates) and mushroom casing soil for commercial growers worldwide. The company produces crop-specific substrates for berries, lettuce and herbs, mushrooms, ornamental plants, propagation/young plants, and medical cannabis, using European peat, cocopeat, wood fiber, perlite, bark, and proprietary raw materials. Products are mixed to order based on individual grower conditions and specifications, supported by expert Sales Advisors who are themselves experienced growers.
Product overview
BVB Substrates is a professional growing media company offering a comprehensive portfolio of crop-specific substrate solutions organized into distinct product lines. The portfolio includes: (1) Berry growing media - Strawberry Excellent/Premium lines for strawberries, Blueberry Excellent/Green lines for blueberries, and Raspberry & Blackberry Excellent for berries; (2) Lettuce & Herbs - HYDRO product line (HYDRO-Fit-Green, HYDRO-Fit-D, HYDRO-Fit-M, HYDRO-Sprout-D, HYDRO-Sprout-M, HYDRO-Turbo, HYDRO-Boost-M) for hydroponic systems; (3) Mushroom casing soil - BVB Basic/Excellent Heavy/Light/Medium and BVB Green Plus product lines; (4) Ornamental plants including ORCHID product line (ORCHID-Tray, ORCHID-S, ORCHID-M, ORCHID-L); (5) Propagation substrates - TRAY product lines (TRAY-Balance, TRAY-Thrive, TRAY-Thrive-P, TRAY-Elite-M/T/T/S/P); (6) Medical Cannabis - PRO product line (PRO-Cuttings, PRO-Buds, PRO-Stock); (7) Specialty products including BVB TopClean covering material and BVB Accretio sustainable raw material. All products are customizable to grower specifications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BVB Green Plus: Next generation casing soil for mushroom cultivation, made with 30% alternative raw materials (special green compost with additives) and 70% multiple types of peat.
- HYDRO
- TRAY
- Strawberry Excellent
- Blueberry Excellent
- BVB TopClean
- BVB Accretio
- ORCHID
- GRANDIO
Products and services
- Strawberry Growing Media Tailor-made growing media for strawberry production including Strawberry Excellent (for long-term everbearing crops), Strawberry Excellent Propagation, Strawberry Excellent Coir (100% cocopeat), Strawberry Excellent Coarse (for poor water quality), Strawberry Premium Fruit, and Strawberry Premium Propagation. Composed of block peat fractions, cocopeat, and perlite with high air capacity for optimal rooting.
- Blueberry Growing Media Tailor-made growing media for blueberry container cultivation including Blueberry Excellent (highly-stable composition for multi-year crops), Blueberry Excellent Propagation, and sustainable Green line variants (Blueberry Green Long, Blueberry Green Propagation). Features excellent drainage properties and high air and water capacities.
- Raspberry & Blackberry Growing Media Raspberry & Blackberry Excellent growing medium ideal for long-term raspberry and blackberry cropping, composed of block peat, buffered and washed cocopeat, and perlite with excellent drainage and high aeration.
- HYDRO Lettuce and Herbs Substrates Specialized growing media for hydroponic lettuce and herb cultivation including HYDRO-Fit-Green (root health with beneficial micro life), HYDRO-Fit-D (all hydroponic systems), HYDRO-Fit-M (round and square pots), HYDRO-Sprout-D and HYDRO-Sprout-M (narrow floating trays in DWC), HYDRO-Turbo (boosted air-filled porosity via turbine dust removal), and HYDRO-Boost-M (extreme wet environments). All HYDRO products undergo a special food safety testing protocol.
- Mushroom Casing Soil Professional casing soils for mushroom cultivation including BVB Basic Heavy (50% blonde/50% black peat), BVB Excellent Light (35%/65%), BVB Excellent Medium (25%/75%), BVB Excellent Heavy (20%/80%), and BVB Green Plus (30% alternative raw materials/70% peat). Different densities and moisture levels for various farm sizes and climate control capabilities.
- Orchid Growing Media Specialized orchid growing media with bark fractions sized for different pot sizes including ORCHID-Tray (0-8mm fine bark for young orchids), ORCHID-S (8-12mm for small pots), ORCHID-M (10-15mm for medium pots), and ORCHID-L (15-20mm for large pots).
- TRAY Propagation Substrates Substrates for seedling and young plant propagation in trays including TRAY-Balance (warmer climates), TRAY-Thrive (larger trays 4-7cm), TRAY-Thrive-P (with perlite), TRAY-Elite-M (multi-purpose, 160-600 cells), TRAY-Elite-T (dust-free for Ellepot systems), TRAY-Elite-S (strong-rooted plants and grafted rootstocks), and TRAY-Elite-P (with perlite for extra-porous texture). Automation-compatible for machine filling.
- Medical Cannabis Growing Media Stage-specific growing media for medical cannabis production including PRO-Cuttings (propagation with rapid rooting), PRO-Buds (strong structure for flowering stage with sterile raw materials), and PRO-Stock (stable substrates for mother plants). Adapted to different growth stages from propagation through vegetative to flowering.
- GRANDIO Press Pot Substrates Premium quality blocking substrates for press pots used in young plant cultivation, providing consistent structure and physical properties suited to machine-filling and press pot systems.
- BVB TopClean Covering Material Organic covering material composed of 50% stable bark (topping bark 4/8) and 50% bark wood that prevents growth of mosses, liverworts, and weeds in nurseries. Reduces evaporation, forms solid top layer that stays in place during transport and in windy conditions. Suitable for tree nurseries, ornamental plants, and berry farming.
- BVB Accretio Sustainable Raw Material Sustainable raw material made from Sphagnum moss (approx. 400 species) with high water retention (up to 25 times its own weight), air porosity creation in growing media, and promotion of faster rooting. Derived from previously forestry-used peatlands in Finland. Chemical properties: CE <0.1, pH 4.0, moisture content 38%, dry density 80 kg/m3, porosity 95%.
Quantifiable outcome
- BVB Accretio can retain water equivalent to 25 times its own weight
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use BVB Substrates
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
BVB Substrates technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
BVB Substrates partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Nutrigro SubstratesminorKekkilä-BVB and Nutrigro Substrates partnered to bring BVB Substrates products to South Africa. This international partnership expands BVB Substrates' geographic reach into the South African market.
- Netherlands Small Fruit SolutionscoreA three-year international partnership aimed at boosting Serbian berry growers. This initiative involves BVB Substrates supporting the development of small fruit cultivation in Serbia through shared knowledge and substrate solutions.
- Delphy ISFCcoreKekkilä-BVB became an innovation partner of Delphy ISFC through substrate brand BVB Substrates. Delphy ISFC is a horticultural knowledge organization, and this partnership supports joint innovation in growing substrate development and knowledge sharing.
- Wageningen University and ResearchcoreBVB Substrates collaborates with Wageningen University and Research (WUR), leveraging their leading horticultural specialists. Joint activities include practical experiments in phytotrons and testing greenhouses for new substrate development.
- HAS University of Applied SciencescorePartnership with HAS University of Applied Sciences for developing new and improved growing media. The university provides specialist expertise for substrate research and development.
- Proefcentrum HoogstratencoreBVB Substrates conducts practical experiments in collaboration with Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, a research center. Joint research includes trials with new substrate raw materials including BVB Accretio for strawberry cultivation. Collaboration on strawberry innovation began in 2012.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BVB Substrates competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pelemix: Israel-based producer of coconut coir substrates and growing media. Direct competitor to BVB's peat-based lines, particularly in soft fruit and protected cultivation markets in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
- Lambert Peat Moss: Canadian peat harvesting and growing media company serving professional growers in North America, Europe, and beyond. Competes with BVB in raw peat supply and finished substrates across berries, vegetables, and ornamentals.
- CANNA: Dutch producer of growing media and nutrients, particularly strong in medical cannabis and horticultural cultivation. Competes directly with BVB's PRO-Cuttings/PRO-Buds/PRO-Stock cannabis substrate line and broader hydroponic segments.
- Grodan: Dutch producer of stone wool substrates for hydroponic and high-tech greenhouse cultivation. Overlaps with BVB's HYDRO line and competes for the same professional hydroponic lettuce and herb growers in Europe and North America.
- Botanicoir: UK-based producer of coconut coir substrates for professional horticulture. Competes with BVB in the rapidly growing peat-alternative substrate space, particularly in berry and vegetable production.
- Sun Gro Horticulture: North American leader in peat-based growing media (Pro-Mix, Sunshine) for professional and consumer horticulture. Closest large-scale direct competitor to BVB in peat substrates, with strong overlap in professional greenhouse and propagation segments.
- Floragard Vertriebs: German producer of peat-based growing media for hobby and professional horticulture. Competes with BVB in the European professional substrate market, particularly across ornamentals and propagation.
- Premier Tech: Canadian producer of peat-based growing media and horticultural inputs serving professional greenhouse growers globally. Direct competitor to BVB Substrates across berries, vegetables, ornamentals, and propagation substrates, with comparable product-line breadth and European/North American distribution.
- Jiffy Group: Norwegian/Dutch producer of growing media (peat, coir, pre-formed plugs) and propagation systems. Competes directly with BVB's TRAY and propagation product lines, particularly for young plant and tray-based cultivation across Europe and North America.
- Legro: Dutch producer of growing media, casing soils, and substrates including for mushroom cultivation. Direct competitor to BVB in mushroom casing soil and Dutch/Northern European horticulture substrates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BVB Substrates social profiles
Digital presenceBVB Substrates financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BVB Substrates leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
BVB Substrates funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BVB Substrates M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BVB Substrates
What does BVB Substrates do?
BVB Substrates manufactures and supplies tailor-made professional growing media (substrates) and mushroom casing soil for commercial growers worldwide. The company produces crop-specific substrates for berries, lettuce and herbs, mushrooms, ornamental plants, propagation/young plants, and medical cannabis, using European peat, cocopeat, wood fiber, perlite, bark, and proprietary raw materials. Products are mixed to order based on individual grower conditions and specifications, supported by expert Sales Advisors who are themselves experienced growers.
Is BVB Substrates a public or private company?
BVB Substrates is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was BVB Substrates founded?
BVB Substrates was founded in 1967. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is BVB Substrates based?
BVB Substrates is headquartered in Maasland, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does BVB Substrates make money?
One revenue line is on record: growing Media / Substrate Sales.
Who are BVB Substrates's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pelemix, Lambert Peat Moss, CANNA, Grodan, Botanicoir, Sun Gro Horticulture, Floragard Vertriebs, Premier Tech, Jiffy Group and Legro.
Does BVB Substrates have an API?
No public API is recorded for BVB Substrates.
What industry is BVB Substrates in?
BVB Substrates's product category is Professional Growing Media and Substrates. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAGAHAK, Mushroom & Fungi Production (Indoor/Protected), with a secondary code of AFAGADAJ, Mushroom Farming (Button, Oyster, Shiitake). Its NAICS code is 1114.