Hunton has announced that it has been awarded over NOK 14 million (EUR 1,21 million) in funding from Innovation Norway for the development of its new circular growing medium, Fibergrow.
The Gjøvik-based company is a producer of wood-based products for the construction industry. Fibergrow has been developed in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Norwegian soil and peat producers, and the Norwegian horticulture industry. Over the past five years, the growth medium, made from pure Fibergrow or soil mixtures containing Fibergrow, has been tested on various crops with good results.
Ole Mathias Lygren and Arne Jebsen
Innovation Norway is providing a 25% grant toward development costs over a three-year project period. The funding comes from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and is categorized as support for bioeconomy and climate initiatives.
"Innovation Norway and Bionova aim to reduce risk in projects that promote green growth, and the Fibergrow initiative fits perfectly. The project contributes to reducing CO2 -emissions and opens a new business area for Hunton. We look forward to collaborating further when Hunton is ready to export Fibergrow," says Sverre Bjørnstad, Regional Director for Innovation Norway in Innlandet.
Fibergrow can be used for cultivation in most types of horticultural production, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, berries, herbs, flowers, and shrubs in nurseries. It can fully or partially replace less sustainable growing alternatives. This circular growing medium is made from 100% PEFC-certified spruce chips, a byproduct of the local forest industry, with significant value creation and environmental impact expected from the project.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Geir Pollestad said: "The government, through the establishment of Bionova, has provided tools to support innovation and green transition in the blue and green sectors. With this funding, Hunton is leading the way in developing sustainable solutions that benefit both the agricultural sector and society."
Ole Mathias Lygren, Business Developer at Hunton said: "This grant is an important milestone for us, and Fibergrow will offer a greener alternative for cultivation. The support from Innovation Norway enables us to invest in product and process development, scale up faster, and enter new markets."
For more information:
Hunton Fiber
hunton.ae