As the horticulture and substrate sectors assess renewed pressure on raw materials, Bulrush Horticulture has announced the addition of a brand-new, state-of-the-art coir processing plant at its Magherafelt site in Northern Ireland.
This latest investment forms part of Bulrush’s ambitious growth strategy to expand its reach across the UK and further strengthen service to its existing commercial customers. The timing could not be more advantageous, as adverse weather conditions have impacted peat production in mainland Europe and increased demand for sustainable alternatives, such as coir.
Persistent wet weather has disrupted peat harvesting in Europe, resulting in historically low production levels. The unprecedented scarcity of peat this year has had a knock-on effect on the availability of other materials, with global demand outpacing supply and driving up costs.
Despite this increased pressure on raw materials, Bulrush is pleased to reassure growers that it has secured its coir stock and significantly increased its processing capacity to meet customer demand for the year ahead. Fully stocked and operating ahead of schedule, the new coir processor will also act as a vital back-up to safeguard against any potential disruption to production or supply.
Bulrush’s Sales Director, Alex Julien commented: “Our new coir processing plant is a hugely welcome addition to the site and will bring real benefits for our customers as we ramp up supply for the coming season. We recognise that there is some uncertainty within the substrate sector due to peat shortages but we have put robust failsafes in place to ensure we can continue to meet demand and operate as normal.
“The market always has its challenges but the investments we’ve made over the past 18 months, and the strategic decisions we’ve taken to secure supply, mean we are as prepared as possible for circumstances that operate beyond our control. The new coir facility is just one of several exciting developments in the pipeline, with more to follow soon, so watch this space.”
As we reach the end of 2025, Bulrush encourages growers to submit their schedules as early as possible to support effective planning for the year ahead.
Bulrush - trusted leader in high-performance substrates
With more than four decades of experience, Bulrush has earned a strong reputation for high-performing standard and custom substrates, which consistently outperform competitor products in trials. The company is the only substrate manufacturer in the UK to use a unique batch-mixing system and was the first in the world to be awarded the ISO 9001 quality management standard (BS EN ISO 9001:2015), reflecting the rigorous quality assurance behind every Bulrush product.
Find out more
Now is the time to plan order schedules for all substrates. Connect with Bulrush today to learn more about our innovative product portfolio and discover how we can support your journey next season and beyond.
To find out more, contact your local area manager, call 028 7938 6555 or please visit bulrush.co.uk
