Profile Growing Solutions releases new engineered media slab solutions for hydroponic growing systems

Profile Growing Solutions announced the release of two new engineered media solutions designed specifically for the hydroponic growing market: HydraFiber Hydroponic Substrate + ProfileCoir slabs and 100% ProfileCoir slabs.

Both come highly compressed to reduce shipping and storage costs, which the company said makes them a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative to rockwool and other hydroponic growing systems.

“We are bringing forward solutions using 100% renewable, natural resources that are helping meet the needs of the rapidly growing industry of hydroponic growing for food production,” said Michael Robeson, senior vice president of innovation with Profile Growing Solutions. “Our new hydroponic slabs utilize premium substrates that have been proven to enhance growth and maximize yield for a variety of food crops, including strawberries, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers.”

The HydraFiber + Coir slabs combine two substrates — HydraFiber engineered fiber and ProfileCoir — to optimize growing conditions for food production. Key benefits include:

• Better rooting: The blend of HydraFiber and ProfileCoir provides more airspace for better rooting, easier water uptake and a drier surface to reduce algae and fungus gnats.
• More effective moisture management: The large surface area of HydraFiber makes water work more efficiently — resulting in 10% to 36.6% more water to every plant.
• More oxygen in the root zone: The combination of HydraFiber and ProfileCoir provides greater availability of oxygen in the root zone and increases porosity while maintaining water retention.
• Less buffering: HydraFiber and ProfileCoir simplifies production by requiring less buffering. Electrical conductivity (EC) is about half of conventional coir, while potassium levels are 65% lower.

ProfileCoir slabs are made from 100% premium coconut coir, processed in a state-of-the-art facility and washed multiple times to remove contaminants and improve the growing environment for plants. Key benefits include:

• Highest quality coir: ProfileCoir slabs consist of high-quality material with a quality control process that is managed from the start of production to the final shipment.
• Balanced pH: Materials are washed multiple times to reduce contaminants and unwanted salts for low EC and a stable pH of 5.5 to 6.0, creating a balance of proper air space and water holding for better growing.
• More eco-friendly process: Profile’s manufacturing process takes actions to help the environment, such as removing coconut husks from the waste stream.

“Our hydroponic slabs are also highly compressed to reduce shipping costs and maximize storage,” Robeson said. “Additionally, the slabs can be recycled or repurposed for other uses, so growers reduce the overall environmental impact of their operations.”

For more information on Profile Growing Solutions’ hydroponic solutions, visit profilegrowing.com/our-products/hydroponics.