22 July 2025
Praktijkverhalen
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Hennep. Chances are you have a product in your home in which you find this natural fiber. Like clothing, paper and even in the insulation of your home. TerraFibre, with passion, adds another sustainable product to this list: growing mats made from 100% hemp fiber. Among other things, the mats are used to grow baby greens, lettuce and other vegetables in greenhouse greenhouses. The company is based in Venlo. Marinka Heuts, CEO of Terrafibre Europe, looks back on the start of this innovative company and looks ahead to the future.
Meet Terrafibre
.Marinka: "We think a healthy world, healthy food and food security are very important. This is why we are happy to contribute to the sustainability goals that the Dutch government and greenhouse horticulture, among others, have agreed with each other." Terrafibre makes this contribution with growth substrates, or growth mats, made from hemp fiber. Marinka: "Our growing mats are made entirely of hemp fiber, an organic material that offers a sustainable alternative to the breakdown of peat in potting soil, for example."
"Hemp is one of the strongest natural fibers on earth. It offers the strength of a synthetic fiber, yet is completely biodegradable after use. This makes our products the most sustainable option on the market"
Liof & Terrafibre
Looking for a partner to fulfill the dream
.Terrafibre started in 2020. "We discovered the potential of hemp fiber. And after we completed a three-year project at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), we made a business plan in 2024 to bring finished products to the market within 5 years. We looked for a partner to realize this dream and found it in LIOF, the regional development company for Limburg."
For a smarter, more sustainable and healthier Limburg
.LIOF, the regional development company for Limburg, supports innovative entrepreneurs with advice, network and financing. Sjaak Berden, business developer at LIOF: "We do that with a view to a smarter, more sustainable and healthier Limburg. Terrafibre's ambitions match this seamlessly. We didn't have to think long when we were asked by these entrepreneurs for support. We did this by sharpening the business plan, among other things. We also brought Terrafibre into contact with relevant parties in the ecosystem of Brightslands Campus Greenport Venlo."
It turned out to be a win-win situation. Marinka: "We saw a great opportunity to make our dream come true by cooperating with LIOF. Very nice that it worked out!"
Key moments
From the first experiences and challenges ...
With good management comes strategic choices at key moments in the company's growth. Marinka: "During a visit to a European lettuce grower, we saw up close how hard growers are working to become more sustainable and are looking for alternatives to peat and rock wool, which are currently still widely used as a growing medium. We gave growers our hemp mats to test. Although the results were hopeful and consistent with previous WUR tests, the mats proved not yet good enough for professional horticulture."
... toward improvements and new collaborations
"We decided to switch manufacturers," Marinka continues. "We found a new manufacturer closer to home, which made our business model a lot stronger. When it turned out that neither manufacturer could improve the mats further themselves, we decided to develop the mats ourselves. However, we still needed the knowledge of the manufacturer - so we entered into a partnership with the new manufacturer. In the meantime, we looked for a partner with knowledge of substrates, plant growth, root development and nutrition. We found that partner as well. Then, through our network, we came into contact with LIOF, to whom we presented our idea. We have since received funding for the first development phase from a fine partnership."
Looking forward
In conclusion, does Marinka have any tips for other entrepreneurs?
.She is very clear about that: "Believe in your innovation, believe in your product and look for the right partners. You need each other!"
What was your outlook when you started Terrafibre?
"The past few years have been really great. You are involved in everything and the work is enormously broad: you get to deal with all parts of business management. Sometimes the work is also very operational. I literally stood in the garage cutting mats. But I knew what I was doing it for and kept my sights on that."
What is your outlook now?
"In 5 years, Terrafibre will be on the map as a reliable provider of sustainable growing mats made of hemp fiber. We will then be selling our mats within Europe. That's our goal right now!"
This LIOF testimonial is from June 2025. More information: www.terrafibreeurope.com/nl Photography: Ron Wiersma (http://www.ronwiersma.nl)