The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) members consist of thousands of growers of flowers and ornamental plants around the world who are together united by one essential goal – promoting the place of plants in people’s lives.
AIPH is responsible for approving the world’s most exceptional horticultural expos creating long lasting green legacies in cities across the globe.
AIPH Blooming Economies & Cities to Inspire The World 2.0. Up-to-date statistics from recent Expos hosted in Asia and Europe.
Learn moreAIPH hosts several conferences, webinars and events such as the International Grower of the Year award throughout the year. Read about these along with the latest news about the association’s activities.
The AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards celebrate the best of the best in ornamental horticulture
Learn moreAIPH’s key aim is to stimulate demand for ornamental trees, plants and flowers worldwide. We are committed to supporting growers in achieving this by protecting and promoting the interests of the industry.
The AIPH’s Global Industry Intelligence Centre (GIIC) is an international hub for industry information and knowledge exchange.
The report contains insights on production and consumption of the floriculture industry in Thailand, imports and exports, and business opportunities
DownloadAIPH Green City activities promote the essential role of plants in creating vibrant urban areas in which people and businesses can thrive.
As demand for sustainable, high-quality flowers grows, attention is turning to post-harvest innovation. With nearly a century of expertise, Chrysal is leading the way—combining recyclable packaging, bio-based flower food, and close industry collaboration to support growers and exporters. Their climate-conscious solutions are helping the sector meet rising consumer expectations and navigate evolving environmental regulations. FloraCulture International sits down with Chrysal’s Nora Meijerink, Sustainability and People Director, and Joris Verrips, Global Category Manager, to explore the company’s journey, goals, and impact on the future of floral care.
Founded nearly a century ago, Chrysal has evolved into a global leader in flower care solutions, dedicated to enhancing the beauty and longevity of flowers worldwide. Responding to rising sustainability demands, the company transitioned from laminated plastics to recyclable mono-material packaging, overcoming challenges such as moisture and temperature variations. Driven by supermarket pressures and emerging EU regulations, Chrysal’s sustainability vision aligns closely with broader horticultural initiatives, ensuring people can enjoy flowers while minimising environmental impact. FloraCulture International speaks with two key Chrysal representatives—Nora Meijerink, Sustainability and People Director, and Joris Verrips, Global Category Manager—to learn more about their innovative approach and commitment to sustainable packaging.
Joris Verrips: “At Chrysal, we’re dedicated to supporting growers in their pursuit of excellence, sustainability, and innovation. The Cut Flowers and Bulbs Award recognises the hard work, expertise, and passion behind high-quality flower production, aligning perfectly with our mission. Sponsoring this category enables us to celebrate growers who excel in quality, sustainability, and efficiency—values central to Chrysal’s own ethos.”
Nora Meijerink: “Highlighting and rewarding exceptional growers helps elevate the entire industry and inspires continuous improvement and innovation. It’s an honour to support growers who unite beauty with sustainability, ensuring a thriving future for our sector.”
Verrips: “Our innovative packaging solutions directly benefit growers by reducing environmental impact, extending product freshness, and improving cost efficiency. Such innovations position growers favourably to meet rising consumer and retailer demands for sustainability.”
Meijerink: “Chrysal actively leads the sustainability shift by developing comprehensive solutions such as recyclable packaging and bio-based flower food. We empower our partners—growers, wholesalers, and retailers—to achieve their sustainability goals while minimising environmental impacts.”
Verrips: “Our sustainability journey is ongoing, with new innovations constantly in development. We will expand our successful ‘Fyt ‘n Fyx’ programme to other regions, continuing to innovate with tailored biostimulants and sustainable packaging solutions.”
Meijerink: “We proactively engage with emerging global regulations to ensure compliance and stay ahead. Participation in collaborative initiatives such as the Horti Sustainable Packaging Initiative helps us set industry standards and share best practices, keeping us at the forefront.”
Verrips: “Adopt a holistic approach to sustainability. Collaboration throughout the floral supply chain amplifies impact. At Chrysal, we aim to be a sustainable partner industry-wide, believing strongly in the power of collective efforts.”
Meijerink: “Our commitment to sustainability began formally with the Chrysal Cares CSR programme in 2009. In 2019, we assessed the environmental footprints of our products to pinpoint improvements. Our recyclable packaging and nearly 99 per cent bio-based flower food directly align with our ambitious targets: 50 per cent circularity by 2030 and full circularity by 2040.”
Verrips: “Our options include recyclable mono-material plastic sachets made from polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), and paper sachets using TCF pulp with a water-based coating. Clear labelling facilitates correct recycling and home composting sachets.”
Verrips: “We offer several sustainable packaging options: sachets made from recyclable mono-material, plastic sachets—primarily polypropylene (PP) for powders and polyethylene (PE) for liquids—and paper sachets made from TCF pulp with a water-based coating. All are clearly labelled to support proper recycling and home composting.
Previously, our laminated plastic films combined multiple materials, making them difficult to recycle. This prompted our shift to mono-material recyclable plastics, which simplify recycling and reduce landfill waste.
The transition wasn’t easy. Packaging in the flower industry must withstand moisture and fluctuating temperatures while preserving product performance. At first, suitable recyclable materials were limited, so we undertook extensive testing and worked closely with suppliers to develop solutions tailored to our specific needs. The result is robust, sustainable packaging that performs reliably across the supply chain.”
Verrips: “Bio-based flower food comprises nearly 99% natural ingredients from renewable biological sources such as plants.”
Verrips: “Supermarkets and bouquet makers strongly support our sustainable shift. Their strategies increasingly prioritise sustainability, and our recyclable packaging and bio-based flower food help them clearly communicate these values to customers.”
Meijerink: “We aim to reach full circularity by 2040. This year, our flower food packaging will be recyclable, compostable, or reusable. By 2025, we will significantly increase FSC-certified materials usage, with fully recyclable or reusable packaging exclusively by 2030.”
Verrips: “Chrysal-treated flowers stay fresh up to 60% longer, providing significant market advantages. Our sustainable flower care solutions empower growers to stand out in the market by enhancing flower quality, extending shelf life, and reducing environmental impact—key factors that appeal to both retailers and consumers.”
Meijerink: “The growing alignment across the entire supply chain—from growers to retailers—gives me confidence. There’s a shared understanding that sustainable packaging isn’t just a trend; it’s becoming a non-negotiable. That collective commitment gives me real hope for meaningful, long-term change.”
Verrips: “I agree. There’s a genuine drive to reduce environmental impact without compromising product quality or freshness. Innovations in packaging are being embraced faster than ever, and the willingness within the industry to collaborate and learn from one another is what will push us forward. That’s what makes the future of floriculture exciting.”
As sponsor of the AIPH International Grower of the Year 2025 Cut Flowers and Bulbs Award, Chrysal proudly recognised La Gaitana’s outstanding contribution to sustainable floriculture. The judges were particularly impressed by the farm’s transformation over four decades into one of Colombia’s top carnation exporters. La Gaitana’s use of rainwater harvesting, biodegradable packaging, and integrated pest management demonstrates how environmental responsibility can be combined with quality and innovation. Their direct-to-customer model, which reaches 22 countries, strengthens freshness and fosters trust across global markets. La Gaitana exemplifies the values the award was designed to honour by supporting small and medium-sized growers and sharing technical expertise.
Learn more about the winners of this year’s awards.
