KP Holland focuses on joint progress in the industry: ‘View sustainability as an opportunity’

KP Holland is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. With 175 employees, the company produces three different crops at eight locations. In addition to flowering houseplants, this also involves breeding and propagation of young plants. They always aim for the highest standards in everything they do, says commercial director Pim van der Knaap.

“We call this Plant Excellence,” he says. “And that’s not just about the quality of the product, but also about sustainability initiatives and our relationships with stakeholders.” Those stakeholders are everywhere. “Our cuttings and genetic material are shipped right across the world. And the products we grow here can be found all over Europe – from the Kalanchoe you see in almost every shop to the Cucurma in a beautiful decorative pot for high-end outlets.”

Versnellers Sierteelt
KP Holland is committed to sustainability. For example, the company is involved in the ‘Versnellers Sierteelt’ – a program aimed at accelerating sustainability in the ornamental plant sector. “That’s a group of growers and growers’ associations working to fast-track sustainability across the supply chain. We focus on different themes, such as water, CO₂ or labour.”

Intensive discussions are also under way with MPS to ensure the offerings and options align well with growers’ ambitions, Van der Knaap says. He is therefore pleased with the company’s MPS-A, MPS-SQ and MPS-GAP certifications. “They give you something to fall back on. You can show buyers that you’re doing things right. Consumers don’t always know what MPS is, though, so you have to communicate with them in a different way.”

Sustainability mindset
Sustainability is rooted deep within the company’s DNA, Van der Knaap explains. “We have a multi-year plan with several pillars, including sustainability. This translates into annual departmental plans that form the basis for further sustainability improvements in areas like substrates, product use and packaging.”

Van der Knaap believes that a change in attitude is crucial: “You need to have a sustainability mindset. As a sector, we need to start growing without chemicals. Our own target is to achieve that by 2030, and we are already carrying out tests and research – sometimes as a company, sometimes as part of a collective, like our efforts to produce 100% green grown Kalanchoe. It is an important development that transcends competition.”

Going green together
To conclude, Van der Knaap emphasises the importance of working together. “As growers in the Netherlands, we’re basically one collective. You’re only as strong as the weakest link, so make sure you’re not that weak point. Just start making your company and your products even more sustainable. View it as an opportunity – and get started.”