BM2 offers growing media solution to CEA substrate variability

Photo courtesy of Berger

Your automated CEA system runs 24/7, but does your growing media keep up?

Controlled environment agriculture is transforming food production through automation, data and efficiency. Yet even the most advanced systems depend on one critical factor: the growing media. Equipment jams, inconsistent flow and production slowdowns can erase the gains automation promises.

That’s where BM2 Automation — Wood High Porosity comes in.

Engineered for automated systems

BM2 Automation was engineered to solve a fundamental challenge in automated CEA: substrate variability. Even minor inconsistencies in particle size, moisture distribution or fiber integration can jam equipment and disrupt production flow.

Our solution combines precision processing with quality inputs. Fine-grade premium Canadian peat provides optimal water absorption and retention. Stricter screening protocols eliminate particles that could obstruct automated filling systems. Perfectly expanded wood fibers are uniformly distributed throughout the mix to ensure consistent porosity and drainage. Every batch meets the same exact specifications, ensuring the consistency automated systems require.

The impact is measurable: smooth flow through automated filling equipment, uniform gutter filling and minimal downtime across open gutter systems, paper pot lines, deep water culture trays and even traditional greenhouse operations setups.

The performance advantage: numbers that matter

Industry trials in commercial-scale leafy greens operations confirm the agronomic power of BM2 Automation when integrated into well-managed systems. We observed yield improvements in lettuce varieties ranging from +5% to +48%, while in-house trials with spinach and leafy greens showed increases of 40% to 47% over conventional substrates. Because every growing environment is unique — from irrigation to climate control — our team of expert grower advisers works with you to fine-tune your protocols and target these top-tier results.

Beyond yield, growers consistently report faster root development and vigorous early growth. These traits help shorten production timelines; when conditions are optimized, some operations have gained 1.5 to 2 additional crop cycles per year, driving significant economic value.

Beyond performance: clean systems, safe crops

Beyond performance, BM2 Automation is a perlite-free alternative built on a foundation of all-natural, biodegradable base components. Unlike perlite-based mixes that can obstruct irrigation lines, BM2 Automation keeps your hydroponic systems clean and running smoothly while supporting your sustainability goals.

Every batch is backed by Berger’s Food Safety and Traceability Program, with screening for Salmonella, E. coli and other food pathogens. Complete documentation and chain-of-custody records provide the assurance commercial growers need to meet stringent food safety standards.

Built for the future of CEA

CEA operations demand substrates that match the precision of their systems. BM2 Automation delivers seamless flow, measurable yield gains and operational reliability, making it more than a growing mix, but a strategic advantage in an automated world.

Alexandre Dubé-Bernier is the product manager at Berger.