From butter tubs to fully recycled tree trays |
|
|
|
|
 |
| 150 sec |
Modiform: 45 years of innovation and sustainability for horticulture
In 2025, Modiform will celebrate its 45th anniversary—a perfect moment to reflect. On how it all began, but especially on where the manufacturer of recycled plastic products stands today. Whether it's trays, pots, or packaging, growers know they can always rely on Modiform for sustainable, well-thought-out, and innovative solutions. And that doesn't come out of nowhere—since its founding, sustainable thinking and action have been deeply embedded in the company's DNA.
| Modiform is a family business with deep employee involvement. |
Let's go back in time to 1977, the year when the first seed was planted for what would become the innovative company Modiform. P.J. van Heugten senior saw something others overlooked: opportunities in recycling materials like film and butter tubs that would otherwise be discarded. He founded P.J. Recycling and gave materials a second life, long before 'circularity' became a trend. Three years later, in 1980, his son Jan van Heugten senior started his own company: Modiform. Initially producing packaging for bakeries, he soon shifted focus to horticulture. And Modiform has never left that sector. The 1990s were marked by a significant expansion of the product range. While Modiform previously mainly produced sowing and propagation trays, the Leusden-based manufacturer added numerous products between 1990 and 2000—from the still-popular NormPack series to the latest ecoExpert transport trays. Modiform has continuously contributed to a sector that operates increasingly smart, clean, and sustainably.
Return system
The company's history features many notable moments. Laura Mooij of Modiform says: 'We found a beautiful old poster in the archives from 35 years ago: Modiform Recycling, for environmentally conscious horticulture, with instructions for growers on how to return trays. The trays had to be delivered well-emptied, with no pots inside. Labels and stickers were not allowed, nor were trays stacked too tightly together. And of course, there was also an explanation of what would happen to the trays: The returned trays are washed, dried, crushed, and melted down into small pellets. This material is reused to create new products. Clear enough, right?' says Laura Mooij, senior marketing specialist at Modiform.
 | | Laura Mooij |
|
|
Leading in sustainability
The sustainable path has remained unchanged to this day. It's impossible to describe all the sustainable steps: from recycling used products as early as the 1980s to using 100 percent green electricity in the factories by 2025. 'Sustainability was never a hype for us, it's just common sense. In the early years, we taught growers how to return their trays; now it's called circularity. Back then, we just saw it as a smart way of working, which we've since further developed. For example, we have LCA and footprint calculations done by external parties. That way, we know where we can improve even further and advise our clients on sustainable choices.'
|
|
'Sustainability was never a hype for us, it's just common sense'
| |
|
Not words, but sustainable actions
Take Modiform's Pristine trays. The polystyrene used is 100 percent recycled with no added dyes. Mooij: 'What comes out is pure. The color may vary slightly depending on the recyclate, but the end product is always reliable and recyclable.' Or look at the ecoExpert products, made from recycled paper and cardboard and fully compostable. 'Ideal if you're looking for a plastic-free alternative. Retailers love them too, because more and more consumers are asking for alternatives. We also offer pots in our range; both thermoformed and injection-molded options combine quality with recyclability. Just like Refined, our new line that uses less material but is just as strong. Convenient to use and environmentally friendly.'
Closing the loop together
Modiform is truly committed to circularity—both in word and in action. 'With our Closed Loop Commitment, we go beyond simply stating that a product is recyclable; we actually do it ourselves. Every year, large numbers of customers return their used products to us so Modiform can recycle them. That's how we close the loop.'
Plenty of challenges
Modiform is and remains a family business, which doesn't go unnoticed. 'Lines of communication are short, and engagement is high. We think along with our colleagues, partners, and customers and keep evolving. Because horticulture and retail never stand still. Raw material prices, energy, labor—we know there are still plenty of challenges. That's why we look for solutions that are both sustainable and economically viable. We do that through partnerships built on trust, transparency, and a shared drive to move forward. We listen, improve, and innovate. Always with an eye on the future. We're looking forward to the next 45 years,' Mooij concludes.
This article was previously published on June 23, 2025, on the Boom In Business website.
| LOG IN
with your email address to respond.
|
|
|
| There are no comments yet. |
Tip the editors
|
