Biogrow
Biogrow (SARL VILA, est. 1975, France) is a private family-owned producer of cocopeat and peat moss substrates for professional hydroponic and soilless greenhouse cultivation, operating five production sites across Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Estonia, and selling through direct enterprise sales and a global distributor network in 15+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersMontescot, France
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Biogrow does
Biogrow is the brand identity of SARL VILA, a French private limited company founded in 1975 by fruit-and-vegetable growers in Montescot, southern France. The company produces coconut fiber (cocopeat) and peat moss growing substrates for professional hydroponic and soilless cultivation, marketing BIOGROW (cocopeat in Natural, Duo, Air, Berrygrow, and ULTRA variants), ECOGROW (peat moss from Estonia), and BIOGROW Approved (custom-blend bales, cubes, and discs). Products are manufactured at five production sites — Brazil (Conde, Bahia), India (Poosaripatti and Nallampilli, Tamil Nadu), Sri Lanka (Negombo, Waryapola, and Madurankulya/Saram Eco Solutions), the Philippines (Davao Region), and Estonia — and supplied either directly by a French-headquartered commercial team or via a network of regional distribution partners.
The core technology centers on biotechnology-driven substrate R&D developed with researchers across the company's own production sites: cocopeat substrates are produced from coconut husks defibrated on-site without chemical additions, then tailored to specific air/water ratios, drainage characteristics, and crop-climate combinations through sifted fiber, coco chips, and grain-texture gradations. Substrates are OMRI-listed, ECOCERT-certified, and offered with documented advantages over rockwool including higher buffering, diffusion, and rehydration capacity. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time physical-product sales of grow bags, bales (5kg–200L), cubes, and bulk raw materials to professional greenhouse growers — tomato, pepper, cucumber, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and flower operations — as well as custom-blend manufacturers and, via the Green Fizz partner, hobby gardeners.
Customers include named enterprises such as Inochio, Royal Brinkman UK, La Serre des Grands Lacs, Triangle Farms, Kuban-Malamino, and Tom d'Aqui. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales from France with a global distributor network covering Russia (GrowTech), Morocco, Korea (Shinsung), Kenya, New Zealand (PGG Wrightson), Australia, North America, China, Benelux (Bart de Smet), and Slovakia/Czech Republic (HTT Cesko), plus a dedicated Brazilian retail arm via the Holamgrow joint venture. The company is family-owned with no external funding rounds disclosed, operates subsidiaries across multiple jurisdictions, and is positioned as the self-declared No. 1 global supplier of coconut fiber substrates.
Biogrow firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Biogrow
- Legal name
- SARL VILA
- Website
- https://bio-grow.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Biogrow (SARL VILA, est. 1975, France) is a private family-owned producer of cocopeat and peat moss substrates for professional hydroponic and soilless greenhouse cultivation, operating five production sites across Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Estonia, and selling through direct enterprise sales and a global distributor network in 15+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Biogrow industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hydroponic Growing Substrates
- NAICS
- Fertilizer and Compost Manufacturing (32531)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Substrates & Growing Media (Coco, Rockwool, Peat Alternatives) (AFAAAHAF)
Keywords
Where Biogrow is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montescot
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
Biogrow business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Coco Fiber Substrates (BIOGROW): Sale of coconut fiber-based growing substrates under the BIOGROW brand, including Natural, Duo, and Air product lines, as well as grow bags, bales, cubes and custom blends. Primary revenue stream.
- Peat Moss Substrates (ECOGROW): Sale of premium peat moss substrates under the ECOGROW brand. Harvested in Estonia with environmentally responsible extraction. Sold in various fractions and compression bag sizes, with custom enrichment options.
- BIOGROW Approved Custom Blends: Sale of bulk raw materials (coco peat, peat moss, or customer-specific mixes) packed in 5kg, 25kg and 75kg bales, plus 200L bales and coco cubes for customers making their own substrate blends.
- Coco Fiber and Powder (Brazil): Production and marketing of coconut fiber and powder in various forms including chips, crush, washed/unwashed coconut fiber in different fiber lengths for varied crop types. Marketed under the Ecogrow brand in 100-liter bags and non-compacted 40-liter bags. Average monthly production ~2,450 m³ (2019).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Biogrow product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Biogrow manufactures and sells coconut fiber (cocopeat) and peat moss growing substrates for soilless and hydroponic agriculture under the BIOGROW and ECOGROW brands. Its product range includes grow bags (Natural, Duo, Air variants), bales in 5kg–200L formats, growing cubes, and customizable substrate blends for professional greenhouse growers worldwide. Production occurs at company-owned facilities in Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Estonia, with distribution across 15+ countries.
Product overview
Biogrow is the n°1 brand of coco fiber substrates for soilless agriculture, founded by French growers in 1975. The company offers a unified portfolio of growing media products: BIOGROW (coco peat substrates in Natural, Duo, and Air variants), ECOGROW (premium peat moss from Estonia), and BIOGROW Approved (custom blend products including bales, discs, cubes in various sizes from 5kg to 200L). The products serve professional hydroponic growers worldwide, with manufacturing facilities in India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Philippines, and Estonia. A training center (Biogrow Protec) was launched in India in 2024 to support customer education.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BIOGROW: Coco coir substrate brand - the n°1 of coco fiber substrates. Includes Natural, Duo, Air product lines and Berrygrow Berry Bags.
- ECOGROW
- BIOGROW Approved
- Biogrow Protec
Products and services
- BIOGROW (coco fiber substrate brand) Main brand of coco fiber/cocopeat substrates for soilless growing. The product is produced from selected coconut plantations, with fiber extracted from the husk and processed on-site without chemical additions. Positions as the No. 1 of coco fiber substrates globally and is the primary product line.
- ECOGROW (peat moss substrate brand) Peat moss substrate brand harvested in Estonia using ecologically responsible extraction methods that protect peatlands as a renewable resource. Complements the coco fiber range. Available in fractions 0-5mm through 10-40mm and compression bag sizes of 225L, 300L, and 6,000L; can be enriched with micro-elements, mineral fertilisers, clay and perlite.
- BIOGROW Approved (custom blends range) Selection of products complementary to BIOGROW and ECOGROW grow bags, including 5kg, 25kg, and 75kg bales of coco, peat, or customer-specific substrate mixes, plus 200L bales and coco growing cubes (dehydrated, compressed, and net-covered) for customers wishing to make their own blends.
- BIOGROW Natural substrate Standard coconut substrate with unique environmental properties, made from materials produced directly in defibring workshops. Fine on surface with homogeneous humidity, featuring a longitudinal groove beneath for improved aeration and drainage. Suitable for tropical and temperate climates, more vegetative with excellent water retention while remaining drainant and aerated.
- BIOGROW Duo substrate Innovative substrate resulting from biotechnology research. Made from mixing 50% sifted materials (Natural type) and 50% coco chips from complete crushing of coconut mesocarp. Maintains a well-balanced air/water ratio; can be either generative or vegetative depending on climate and operations. Gradual grain texture — finer on surface and rougher inside.
- BIOGROW Air substrate New generation 100% natural, renewable and recyclable substrate made up of 20% sifted materials and 80% coco chips. Perfect for Continental Europe and temperate oceanic climate regions. Features high aeration and drainage capacities requiring specific irrigation techniques. More generative substrate.
- Berrygrow Berry Bags Specific range of open-top grow bags for berries and soft fruit cultivation, including strawberry bags, planter bags, and cubes. Designed for hydroponic berry production.
- Biogrow Protec Training Center State-of-the-art training facility for soilless growing located in Bangalore, India. Offers 3-day training courses led by qualified agronomists and overseas technicians; courses are free for valued customers and offered at a nominal fee for other parties. Also produces small quantities of fresh produce (cherry tomatoes and bell peppers) for local sale.
Quantifiable outcome
- Moisture retention and drainage optimized through customizable air/water ratios for each crop type and climate
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Biogrow
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Biogrow technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Biogrow partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Philippines Local NGO PartnershipminorBiogrow Philippines partnered with a local NGO as part of a sustainable development project to transfer knowledge and technology to local cooperatives and coconut farmers. The goal is to have 3,000–5,000 farmers join the project, earn additional income, and improve their livelihoods.
- HolamgrowcoreHolamgrow was created in 2016 through a partnership between Biogrow Brasil and a Brazilian partner to develop production of ready-to-use substrate blends. Located in Holambra, São Paulo, it provides Biogrow Brasil with coconut raw material for blends and enables retail distribution of products.
- HortiNedcoreHortiNed is an experienced company specializing in providing professional and full support to international horticulturists, investors, or horticultural suppliers. The partnership focuses on collaborative solutions to meet evolving grower needs globally.
- Green FizzminorBased on over 20 years of experience working with high-quality coco peat substrates for professional growers in southern France, Green Fizz developed an amateur/home gardener product range using Biogrow substrates.
- Tom d'AquiminorTom d'Aqui is a sustainable tomato producer in Parentis en Born, France, operating under the Rougeline network ideology. They use Biogrow organic substrates, practice integrated pest management, zero fossil energy, and zero waste in production, distributing locally.
- Estonian Peat ProducercoreBiogrow partners with an established peat producer in Estonia for the ECOGROW product line. This partnership enables ecologically responsible peat moss extraction under Estonia's quota system (in place since 1996) that ensures protection and restoration of peatlands. Production area is 600 ha.
- GrowTech LLCminorGrowTech LLC serves as Biogrow's distribution partner in Russia.
- ShinsungminorShinsung serves as Biogrow's distribution partner in Korea.
- PGG WrightonminorPGG Wrighton serves as Biogrow's distribution partner in New Zealand.
- Bart de Smet BVminorBart de Smet BV serves as Biogrow's distribution partner in the Benelux region.
- HTT CeskominorHTT Cesko serves as Biogrow's distribution partner in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Biogrow competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Riococo: Riococo is a Sri Lankan coconut coir substrate manufacturer producing grow bags and slabs for global horticultural markets. Directly overlaps with Biogrow's core coconut substrate range and primary sourcing geography.
- CANNA: CANNA is a Netherlands-based horticultural inputs brand offering coco coir substrates alongside nutrients and growing media for hobbyist and professional growers. Comparable substrate product line and European channel footprint.
- Pelemix: Pelemix is a global coconut coir substrate producer with operations across India, Sri Lanka, and Latin America supplying professional greenhouse growers. Directly competes with BIOGROW in coco peat-based substrates for hydroponic cultivation.
- Jiffy Group: Jiffy Group is a Dutch producer of growing media (coco coir, peat, sphagnum) and propagation systems serving global professional horticulture. Directly comparable product mix, target market (commercial greenhouse growers), and substrate-only business model.
- Botanicoir: Botanicoir is a UK-headquartered cocopeat substrate producer with manufacturing rooted in Sri Lanka. Comparable raw material sourcing geography and target customer base of professional hydroponic growers.
- Grodan (ROCKWOOL): Grodan, part of ROCKWOOL Group, is the dominant rockwool substrate maker serving high-tech greenhouse growers globally. Competes with Biogrow in the soilless cultivation substrate category but in a different material (stone wool vs. coco coir/peat).
- Klasmann-Deilmann: Klasmann-Deilmann is one of Europe's largest peat-based growing media producers, headquartered in Germany. Directly comparable to Biogrow's ECOGROW peat product line and overlapping target segment of European professional horticulture.
Broad incumbents
- Sun Gro Horticulture: Sun Gro Horticulture is a North American leader in peat-based growing media and professional horticulture inputs. A broader-scale incumbent whose peat substrate products overlap with Biogrow's ECOGROW line but spans a much wider product portfolio.
- Hydrofarm Holdings Group: Hydrofarm is a US-listed distributor and manufacturer of hydroponics equipment, growing media, and supplies serving controlled-environment agriculture. Competes at the channel level for the same professional and hobbyist grower customers but with a much broader product portfolio spanning hardware, lighting, and nutrients.
- Premier Tech (Grower & Consumer): Premier Tech's Grower & Consumer segment produces peat-based growing media, including the PRO-MIX line, serving professional and consumer horticulture globally. A much larger, diversified incumbent with overlapping substrate products but a broader portfolio beyond growing media.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Biogrow social profiles
Digital presenceBiogrow compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Biogrow financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Biogrow leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Biogrow subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Biogrow funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Biogrow 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 Biogrow
What does Biogrow do?
Biogrow manufactures and sells coconut fiber (cocopeat) and peat moss growing substrates for soilless and hydroponic agriculture under the BIOGROW and ECOGROW brands. Its product range includes grow bags (Natural, Duo, Air variants), bales in 5kg–200L formats, growing cubes, and customizable substrate blends for professional greenhouse growers worldwide. Production occurs at company-owned facilities in Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Estonia, with distribution across 15+ countries.
Is Biogrow a public or private company?
Biogrow is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Biogrow founded?
Biogrow was founded in 1975. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Biogrow based?
Biogrow is headquartered in Montescot, France, in the Europe region.
How does Biogrow make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Coco Fiber Substrates (BIOGROW) is the primary driver. The others are peat Moss Substrates (ECOGROW), BIOGROW Approved Custom Blends and coco Fiber and Powder (Brazil).
Who are Biogrow's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Riococo, CANNA, Pelemix, Jiffy Group, Botanicoir, Grodan (ROCKWOOL) and Klasmann-Deilmann. Broad incumbents are Sun Gro Horticulture, Hydrofarm Holdings Group and Premier Tech (Grower & Consumer).
Does Biogrow have an API?
No public API is recorded for Biogrow.
What industry is Biogrow in?
Biogrow's product category is Hydroponic Growing Substrates. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAAHAF, Substrates & Growing Media (Coco, Rockwool, Peat Alternatives). Its NAICS code is 32531 and its SIC code is 700.