Pindstrup opens new wood fibre plant in Denmark to drive sustainability

From the left: Mayor of Aalborg Lasse Frimand Jensen, Site Manager Niels Plough Johansen, and Pindstrup CEO René Gjerding.

Pindstrup, a global supplier of growing media for professional horticulture, has officially opened a new wood fibre production facility at its factory in Kongerslev, Denmark. The €4 million investment underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and the shift towards renewable, circular raw materials.
At the opening ceremony, a commemorative plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Aalborg, Lasse Frimand Jensen, together with Pindstrup CEO René Gjerding.
“This new facility marks an important milestone in our efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of growing media by increasing the use of peat alternatives,” said Gjerding. “We have produced wood fibre at our factories in Northern Ireland and Latvia for many years. Now, we are proud to bring production to Denmark using locally sourced, PEFC-certified wood chips—and to do so with renewable energy.”
The new plant will allow Pindstrup to expand its use of wood fibre in substrates for the Danish market. Currently, growbags for retail produced at Kongerslev contain up to 50 per cent wood fibre, a figure expected to rise as availability and demand grow. The proportion used in mixes for professional growers remains lower, but the company is focused on changing that.
“More sustainable growing media is not just a future option—it’s a current priority,” Gjerding added. “With this investment, we are enabling the change the industry needs, and we believe our professional customers will embrace peat-free and peat-reduced solutions.”
Research and development into high-performance peat alternatives continues across the company and through partnerships like the BioSubstrate project, which brings together Aarhus University, the Danish Technological Institute, suppliers, and growers to co-develop and test new mixes.
Pindstrup aims for 40 per cent of its raw material base to consist of peat alternatives by 2028. In 2024, the share stood at 31 per cent, with wood fibre a cornerstone of that transition. The Kongerslev plant will be instrumental in achieving this target. Meanwhile, wood fibre capacity at Pindstrup’s factory in Northern Ireland is also set to expand this year, raising the total investment in wood fibre production to €8.5 million. Further production sites are in the pipeline.
“As a global company with customers in 100 countries, Denmark remains our foundation and starting point for future growth,” said Gjerding. “This investment reflects the importance of our home market in building a sustainable future for horticulture.”

FCI’s May 2025 issue will focus on substrates. If you’re interested in contributing a story or exploring advertising opportunities, please get in touch with the editorial team at angie.duffree@aiph.org