A coalition of growing media manufacturers have formed the 'Growing Media Manufacturers’ Council’ (GMMC) with a goal of ensuring the UK offers the highest quality growing media to professional growers and amateur gardeners.

The leading growing media manufacturers have joined together to give the industry a strong voice – building a proactive and like-minded working group that champions a positive future for growing media. The group is initially fully focussed on safeguarding the future for growers by creating a clear new set of standards in professional growing media.

The council was born out of the lack of a clear and sustainable path to protect UK growers and the horticultural sector as a whole. It has become clear that there is much confusion surrounding which substrate growers should use to achieve quality results in a sustainable way. As a result, the manufacturers of professional substrates have come together to manage the risk to the whole industry, which is currently facing the potential of failed businesses and the loss of many keen home gardeners due to recurrent failures. The current void in standards (and shortage of substrates that are fit for purpose) has left the industry in need of clarity and a concerted effort is required to support and deliver the best quality growing substrates across the horticultural sector for today and tomorrow.

The council recognises the substantial challenges and opportunities currently facing the growing sector. It has therefore placed “establishment of a robust quality standard and environmental solutions” as top priorities given the surge in poorly performing raw materials entering the market, which it believes is damaging the industry’s reputation and trust.

To deliver this goal the newly formed group will proactively engage with all involved parties including retailers, growers, HTA, Government, NGOs, and other key stakeholders. The key objectives will be futureproofing the sector, creating robust and sustainable quality measures, driving innovation and supporting development, starting with the professional sector, which in turn will naturally flow and benefit the consumer and retail sector. The group will work closely with Government to secure the investment required to ensure that our customers are consistently offered excellence in growing media, and to allow growers to again focus on restoring the UK as a leader in global horticulture and technical excellence.

The founding members of the GMMC are well established multi-material manufacturers, that support the growing of over one billion plants per annum. The members have a proven track record of success, with over 150 years of knowledge, expertise, and history in growing media, and between them have invested over £100m in leading the way for innovation. The initial working group includes Bulrush, Godwins, ICL, Melcourt, and Westland Horticulture. Once established the retail manufacturers will be encouraged to join the council to deliver a future of high-quality substrates for all sectors.  

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director, Westland, commented: “As the industry moves forward, it is imperative that there is a shared vision and strong roadmap that protects, develops and promotes the UK ornamental and edible sectors. This means developing the reliable and efficacious growing media needed to ensure the sector continues to thrive, both in terms of the health of all plants, and the choice and experience for customers. The new standard will consider raw materials, supply chain, production, usability, sustainability, retail experience, shelf life and customer satisfaction”.

The GMMC is dedicated to:

• Reducing the environmental impact of horticulture whilst delivering high quality sustainable growing media solutions to benefit the UK Horticulture Industry
• Setting a new regulated standard in professional and consumer manufactured growing media with mandatory conditions that support both the grower and home gardener
• Working towards a longer-term strategy to address the availability of high quality, consistent, and efficacious growing media
• Addressing the health and growth needs of all plant types for both ornamental and food production
• Managing the risks associated with emerging and unproven raw materials
• Complying with existing and future regulations to support sustainable horticulture practices
• Collaborating with Government to ensure that the industry is able to secure the investment needed to make these objectives a reality
• Work with all relevant parties to ensure clarity on sustainability and understanding of the costs and benefits of new substrates
• Seeking collaboration with stakeholders to deliver a strong and sustainable roadmap to help protect the environment for future generations
• Position the UK Horticulture Industry as a leader in the highest quality and sustainable growing practices.

Stephen Squires, Region Lead at ICL Growing Solutions, and appointed chair of the GMMC, commented: “The coming together of this new group of sector leading manufacturers is an exciting prospect. All members share the same vision and goals, of ensuring our industry moves forward in a positive manner providing sustainable growing media solutions that protects the professional grower, the home gardener, and the success of our industry. Our joint aim is to develop the highest standard sustainable growing media and lead the way for the future of the UK horticultural sector.”