Professional growers across the globe continue to face rising costs for coir, peat, and blended growing substrates. These materials represent a major, recurring operational expense — one that directly affects margins, scalability, and long-term profitability.
A proven, commercially deployed technology from Stronga enables growers to reduce substrate purchasing costs by up to 80%*, while achieving full capital payback within a single growing season. Learn more below.
* Figures presented in this document are based on performance data from an existing Stronga customer, actual results will vary on a project-by-project basis.
Transforming Spent Substrate into a Multi-Season Asset
FlowSteama steam treatment systems are designed to rejuvenate spent growing media, allowing it to be reused across multiple growing cycles without compromising crop performance, but in fact improving it significantly. By restoring physical structure, moisture balance, and biological conditions, FlowSteama converts what is typically treated as waste into a premium-grade substrate. This approach delivers:
• Significant reduction in annual substrate purchasing volumes
• Lower import and transport costs
• Improved crop health and consistency
• Strong first-year returns followed by compounding annual savings
Commercial data shows FlowSteama consistently offsets around 80% of substrate input costs, positioning it as one of the strongest capital investments available to professional growers.
Proven Results with Leading Soft Fruit Growers
Leading soft fruit producers have already adopted FlowSteama technology, validating both the agronomic and economic case for investing in the equipment. In strawberry production, growers are reporting a doubling of fruiting per plant, delivered through: Larger, faster root development; stronger stems; increased fruiting nodes; reduced disease pressure across crop cycles; larger, more consistent fruit; and extended cropping windows.
The outcome is clear: doubling of fruiting = doubling of profit potential.
Example Return on Capital Investment Calculation
The following table illustrates a typical commercial-scale operation. Please note that the figures presented are based on performance data from an existing Stronga customer, actual results will vary on a project-by-project basis.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Throughput (Loose spent substrate) | 8 m³/h, 4,000 m³/year |
| Single use substrate purchasing cost (coir, peat or blends) | £45/m³ (ca.) |
| Total annual substrate spend (before FlowSteama) | £180,000 (ca.) |
| Equipment cost (depending on specification) | £100,000 (ca.) |
| Labour & fuel (annual) | £30,000 (ca.) |
| Annual substrate savings (80% offset) | £144,000 (ca.) |
| Payback period (based on substrate savings ALONE) | 1 year or less |
In practical terms, a one-off capital investment of approximately £100,000 is recovered within a single growing season. From that point onward, annual substrate savings continue to accumulate year after year.
From Spent Coir to Premium Growing Media
A typical pot of spent coir — containing root material and residual organic matter — represents significant underutilised value when discarded after one use. Following FlowSteama treatment, this material is transformed into a high-performance growing substrate, restored to optimal structure and moisture levels and ready to support healthy root development across multiple cropping cycles.
Freshly steam-treated, rejuvenated coir delivers:
• Faster, more extensive root development
• Nutrient release favouring early root establishment
• Stronger stems and increased fruiting nodes
• Larger plants and higher yields
• Improved fruit quality and consistency
• Reduced disease pressure and pathogen suppression
• Beneficial microbial advantage
• Longer cropping periods with earlier and later fruiting
• Brighter, more intense flavour profiles
A Compelling Investment Case
Against the backdrop of rising input costs and increasing pressure to improve efficiency and sustainability, FlowSteama offers a practical, proven route to immediate cost reduction and long-term performance improvement. For many professional growers, it is difficult to identify another capital investment that delivers:
• One-season payback
• Significant recurring cost savings
• Improved crop performance
• Reduced waste and environmental impact
Is there a stronger investment opportunity available to growers today?
FlowSteama units are operating with commercial growers across the sector, and demonstrations can be arranged either at working sites or at individual grower locations to assess specific requirements. Get in touch with our sales team today to discuss your substrate-rejuvenation requirements: enquiries@stronga.com
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