Univar Solutions offers a full range of industrial chemicals. Our customers are found in a wide variety of companies world-wide. The product range varies from basic chemicals and specialities to tailor-made solutions, both in quantities from 25 kg up to full truckloads. Our intention is to develop and improve the relationship with our customers and to ensure we deliver the best possible products for his applications.
The history of Biofeed, the nutritional division
In 1986, Univar Solutions started with BioFeed liquid fertilizer for the professional market. Most consumable and floriculture crops like tomato, cucumber, potplants and flowers were grown on an artificial substrate. Every plant was provided with water and fertilizer by small tubes, which were connected with pipes to a fertilizer-dosing unit. Greenhouses were expanding that time to several hectares, the amount of fertilizer needed for each individual greenhouse increased. Growers asked for automation, the refilling of his fertilizer barrels could not be automated with the widely used solid fertilizers. Univar Solutions introduced the BioFeed liquid fertilizer system in those years. Univar Solutions already had a history in nitric and phosphoric acid as a fertilizer component for several decades. These acids were used in combination with solid fertilizer. The introduction of a complete liquid fertilizer system composed from basic products was quite a revolution. Growers were able to automate the dosing of fertilizer; liquids can easily be measured by flow control. Another big advantage of BioFeed liquid fertilizer is the purity. Drip irrigation systems are often blocked by the insoluble parts of the solid fertilizer. The use of BioFeed liquid fertilizer causes a clean irrigation system without blocked drippers, a condition for high yields. During the past decades the number of fertilizer components expanded with new products for specific growing conditions and crops. BioFeed liquid fertilizer suits any horticulture application.
BioFeed : fertilizers for growing solutions
The three main components that plants require to grow are sunlight, water, and nutrients.
BioFeed, a division of Univar Solutions in Zwijndrecht, The Netherlands, offers a range of products designed for optimal plant growth and exists of a unique combination of liquid fertilisers to supply the crop with these needed nutrients. These fertilisers are used extensively in substrate cultivation, hydro-culture and "fertigation" (= fertilisation + irrigation) on crops grown in soil.
Different kinds of plants have significantly different nutrient needs. Also different stages in a plant’s life cycle results in changes of nutrient requirements. These resulted in a number of additional fertilizers suitable for specific crops or grow stages. The similarity that all BioFeed products have in common: they are made for better crop quality and high yields.
The BioFeed fertilisers are of extremely high purity and have very low sodium and chloride contents. An advantage of the BioFeed system is that it consists of singular fertilisers ; most fertilisers have only one plant feeding element. They largely correspond to solid fertilisers, which facilitates the change over from solid to BioFeed fertilisers easy.
BioFeed fertilisers are available in cans, 200 litre drums, IBC’s and in bulk.
The BioFeed system also has of a series of solutions of trace elements and a number of fertilisers for specific applications.
A maximum of 7 fertilisers is needed for the main elements in the preparation of a nutrient solution
- Calcium nitrate solution 52%;
- Magnesium nitrate solution 37%;
- Magnesium sulphate 43,5%;
- Ammonium nitrate solution 52%;
- Nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid and potassium hydroxide make all necessary main elements complete.
- Further: fertilisers for specific applications including Silica.
Advantages of BioFeed liquid fertilisers
- Maximum flexibility and control in making fertilisation recipes.
- Customizable gift according to need and specific.
- Pure fertilizers without bulking materials such as Na, Cl or other.
- Labor alleviation (bag lifting/opening), and waste reduction.
- Offers possibilities for far-reaching automation as automatic/semi-automatic filling.
- Automation = fewer errors, labor savings and safe working.
- Optional : the storage tanks liquid fertilizers can be read remotely via Telemetry. In this way, delivery can be made automatically without the end user having to place an order.
Calculation program for easy calculations with the BioFeed liquid fertilizers is available.
BioFeed today
Nowadays BioFeed is a leading fertilizer producer with the a large program of liquid components. Due to our experience we offer the most different components within our BioFeed system. Our main interest is offering a complete range of solutions to professional growers with a wide variety of crops.
Besides the liquid fertilizer solutions, BioFeed is specialised in cleaning products for agriculture- and horticulture use. The advanced irrigation systems are very sensitive to clogging caused by bacteria and algae. Our cleaning products prevent clogging caused by pollution.
Tailor made solutions
We also provide a range of value-added services including product mixing, formulation, custom packaging, just-in-time delivery, and inventory management.
Besides the liquid fertilisers on the horticultural market, Univar Solutions produces tailor made solutions, which are used both by non-professional (e.g. consumer market) and professional growers. Those nutrient solutions are based on our experience combined with the demands of our customers. Our prefabricated nutrient solutions guarantee excellent results for both reseller and grower. Resellers can advise their customers the best possible solution for their plants and guarantee them excellent blooming and top yields.
Also our horticultural cleaning products will be helpful to solve additional problems with clogging caused by organic pollution and make the fertilizers do their job.
For further information, please contact:
Univar Solutions Nederland B.V.
Noordweg 3,
3336 LH Zwijndrecht.
Tel: +31 (0) 78 6250000
E-mail: [email protected]
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