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Arevo introduces Arginex for peat-free substrate to tackle nitrogen losses

Two green lettuce plants with roots and soil are shown side by side against a beige background. The plant on the left is labeled "Untreated Peat-Free Substrate" and has fewer, less dense roots. The plant on the right is labeled "Arginex Treated Peat-Free Substrate" with a logo above it, showing a denser and more extensive root system. The word "AREVO" appears in red text in the bottom right corner.

Regulatory, retailer and consumer pressure bring sophisticated peat-free substrates to the market, but they’re creating a huge nutrition challenge for growers

  • Europe’s professional growing industry is in the middle of the largest substrate transition in its history as a combination of regulation puts pressure on peat use.
  • But standard ammonium nitrate fertlizer quickly leaches through peat-free substrates, prompting growers to top up or apply more fertiliser, increasing runoff and compromising sustainability.
  • Substrate manufacturers need to rethink their approach to nitrogen for peat-free formulas and introduce a new standard of nutrition.
  • Arginex acts like a magnet retaining nearly 80% of its nitrogen in existing peat-free substrates, even after six leaching cycles. Standard ammonium nitrate fertiliser retains only around 10% at the same rate.

Umeå, Sweden, 11th May 2026: Driven by EU policy, retailer commitments, and consumer pressure, peat-based substrate formulas are being phased out across horticulture, ornamentals, and increasingly food crops. In response, manufacturers are producing advanced peat-free formulas but, in doing so, they are creating a new challenge – nutrients, according to global AgTech company, Arevo.

A combination of EU climate law, biodiversity regulation, corporate disclosure requirements and national bans has put huge structural pressure on the extraction and use of peat. But the peat-free substrates coming onto the market as alternatives are changing the physics of nutrient retention. Standard ammonium nitrate fertiliser was designed to be soluble and for peat substrates. In peat-free formulas, more than half of the nitrogen in this fertiliser is lost after the first watering and, by the sixth watering, nitrogen retention rates are down to 10%.

Two plant seedlings with visible root systems are shown side by side against a beige background. The seedling on the left is smaller with fewer leaves and is labeled "Untreated Peat-Free Substrate." The seedling on the right is larger with more abundant green leaves and is labeled "Arginex Treated Peat-Free Substrate," with a "Powered by Arginex" logo above it. The image highlights the growth difference between untreated and treated substrates. The word "AREVO" appears in red text in the bottom right corner.

“Nitrogen behaves differently in coir, wood fibre, and bark than it does in peat,” says Niklas Astrom, CEO, Arevo. “This means the peat-free transition has a nitrogen problem and growers are trying to compensate for this with more freqThe uent topups, higher application rates, and increased runoff – but this undermines the sustainability case for peat-free in the first place. This is a category-level issue, not a product-level one and, until it’s solved, the peat-free transition will be incomplete.”

Manufacturers need to rethink their approach to nutrition for peat-free formulas and introduce a new standard of nutrition where fertiliser feeds the substrate, and root nutrition feeds the root zone. This can be achieved with a single compound, Arginex, a natural arginine phosphate molecule that binds to substrate particles instead of washing out with every watering.

“Peat-free substrate doesn’t need any more fertiliser,” adds Niklas. “Arginex is like a magnet and clings to the substrate particles. Arginex retains nearly 80% of its nitrogen in peat-free substrate after six leaching cycles. Standard ammonium nitrate fertiliser retains only around 10%, which leads to higher nutrient availability in the root zone, faster plant establishment and healthier plants. This is the new nutrient standard that will work for peat-free formulas.”

Arginex is non-living and has a shelf life of five years. This means manufacturers do not need to navigate stock management, cold chain logistics, batch variability, or living cultures. The new technology will be available to substrate manufacturers in two different formats: Arevo’s standalone branded root nutrition, or as a value-add ingredient to existing nutrition for peat-free substrates – with formulas ‘powered by Arginex’  like computers powered by Intel.

Independent trials across Europe, South America and North America have already shown that Arginex retains nearly 80% of its nitrogen in existing market peat-free substrates, even after six leaching cycles. This is approximately seven times the retention rates of standard fertilisers. Arginex is CE-certified, backed by over 70 patents and more than a decade of plant nutrition research. And it is already in commercial use as organo-mineral nutrition in granular form in forestry planting, liquid spray in forest nurseries, seed coating for soy, corn and winter wheat in Europe.

“Peat-free substrate is the future of professional growing – but the nutrition we’ve been pouring into it was built for peat, and it’s washing straight through,” concludes Niklas. “ Arginex is the crucial missing piece of the puzzle for a successful peat-free transition.”

Arevo will be exhibiting at GreenTech Amsterdam at stand no. 05.530 talking about Arginex in more detail and meeting ingredients partners. 

Two plants with visible root systems are shown side by side against a beige background. The plant on the left, labeled "Untreated Peat-Free Substrate," is smaller with fewer leaves. The plant on the right, labeled "Arginex Treated Peat-Free Substrate," is larger, has more leaves, and is supported by a thin stick. The right plant also features a "Powered by Arginex" logo. The word "AREVO" is displayed in red in the bottom right corner.

About Arevo

Rooted in science and built commercially for agriculture, forestry, and horticulture, Arevo’s mission is to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and support more sustainable cultivation practices with zero nitrogen waste.

Based on decades of research, Arevo’s patented organic nitrogen technology Arginex – powered by arginine meets phosphorus – enhances a plant’s natural ability to absorb nutrients and water, while supporting beneficial soil microbes, resulting in stronger, more resilient plants that can better withstand environmental stresses.