New generation of plant enhancers makes growers think |
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Growing strong and vital plants with fewer inputs
The demand for more sustainable cultivation methods is growing rapidly. Biostimulants, also known as plant enhancers, offer tree growers the opportunity to cultivate strong, vital plants with fewer inputs. The renewed Stymbion returns to the sector with a clear ambition: to support growers in the transition to more resilient and future-proof cultivation.
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'The product line has become much more complete in recent years,' says Arjen de Haan, who has been responsible for Bion in the Netherlands for the past six months. 'We not only offer biostimulants, but also a broad range of fertilizers and specialties that address the current challenges in the sector.'
In the past, Bion mainly focused on Omnicote, the controlled release fertilizer that provides trees with nutrients for a period of 2 to 16 months. That application is still a key focus, but Bion has now added a broad line of products alongside it. The organization itself has also changed. Today, Bion is active with its own staff in the Benelux, Spain and China, and also works with distributors and agencies in countries such as Germany, Poland, Italy and Romania. This allows the brand to spread its wings further across Europe. 'Our largest turnover still comes from the Benelux, Spain and China,' says De Haan, 'but we are actively working to make our knowledge and products more widely available.'
Three product lines
De Haan highlights three product lines most relevant to tree growers: Omnicote, Solbion and Stymbion. We discuss all three below.
Omnicote
Omnicote is a controlled release fertilizer available in various types and has proven itself in tree nurseries. The principle is simple: a consistent release of nutrients through topdressing or base fertilization, contributing to efficient use and reduced losses.
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'With the Stymbion family we can correct deficiencies, stimulate growth and contribute to preventive resilience against diseases'
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Solbion
Solbion is a range of water-soluble NPK fertilizers that are widely applicable in tree nurseries and horticulture. They form a stable base fertilization and can be applied flexibly.
Stymbion
Stymbion is Bion's line of biostimulants. These products are based on amino acids and micropeptides, which improve nutrient uptake and help the plant save energy. Variants are available with iron, copper, sulfur, calcium and trace elements. 'With the Stymbion family we can correct deficiencies, stimulate growth and contribute to preventive resilience against diseases,' says De Haan. A striking component in the Stymbion line is the Biota variant, which feeds the soil life. This stimulates a healthier root environment and better absorption of water and oxygen. This makes the product part of the trend toward more attention to the role of the microbiome in the soil.
Sustainability at the core
At Bion, product development is strongly focused on sustainability. Thanks to controlled release and slow release fertilizers, less synthetic fertilizer is needed and leaching is limited. Biostimulants support plant resilience, which can delay or even partly prevent the use of crop protection products.
De Haan: 'With our products we want to contribute to a greener sector. Stymbion contains no chemicals or fungicides. It is about working preventively: making the plant stronger and less dependent on curative interventions.' A concrete example is Stymbion Iron. This product quickly ensures a deep green appearance. The effect is visible within a few days, which is not only practical for tree growers, but also valuable at delivery times when presentation matters. At the same time, iron strengthens the plant against disease pressure.
International knowledge, local approach
Bion benefits from the company's international reach. In Spain, extensive experience has been gained in tree nurseries producing large trees for export, in Belgium especially with shrubs and hedges. This knowledge is actively shared with colleagues and distributors in other countries.
'We organize technical tours,' says De Haan. 'We go out with suppliers, distributors and specialists. In Spain the focus during the visit was on tree nurseries, in Belgium on golf and grass fields. Through this exchange we learn what works under different conditions and how we can further develop products for the Dutch situation.' For the Dutch tree nursery sector, Bion is still in the build-up phase. De Haan works with distributors in Belgium and the Netherlands, but is open to working with new partners to establish an even stronger foothold.
Future plans and R&D
Innovation does not stop with the current range. Bion is also looking at expanding its biosolutions range, for example with mycorrhiza, trichoderma and bacillus preparations. Combinations of fertilizers with biostimulants are also on the agenda. 'We want to provide solutions that fit into precision farming and integrated cultivation systems,' says De Haan. He himself has a background in substrates and soil science and has been working in the fertilizer and biostimulant sector for five years. He now wants to translate that knowledge to tree nurseries, with GrootGroenPlus as an important platform to meet the sector. 'All leading growers are there. For us, it's the moment to start conversations and show what we have to offer.'
Conclusion
With a more complete range, international experience and a clear focus on sustainability, Bion International is returning to the Dutch tree nursery sector. The company combines proven fertilizers such as Omnicote and Solbion with innovative biostimulants like Stymbion. This gives growers practical tools to make their cultivation more efficient and sustainable. De Haan sums it up concisely: 'We want to help tree growers make their crops stronger and more vital. Not by using more, but by working smarter.'
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This article was first published on 9 September 2025 on the website
of Boom In Business.
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