First RHP Certification Awarded to Sphagnum Product ‘Sphaxx’

RHP and Klasmann-Deilmann have confirmed that the RHP Horticulture certification has, for the first time, been granted to a sphagnum-based product. The certified substrate component, marketed as ‘Sphaxx’, is cultivated as a renewable growing medium under protected conditions. The certificate was officially presented to Klasmann-Deilmann during IPM ESSEN 2026.

Before certification could be awarded, RHP developed specific quality mark requirements for sphagnum and obtained approval from its Technical Committee. Subsequent testing and inspections confirmed that Klasmann-Deilmann’s protected-cultivated sphagnum complies with the requirements of the RHP product certification scheme.

RHP-certified sphagnum produced under protected cultivation must meet strict criteria covering the entire production process and product quality. These include defined chemical, physical and phytosanitary properties. The controlled production system is designed to ensure product safety, consistency and uniform quality.

During the certificate handover, RHP Operational Director Marco Zevenhoven presented the document to Dr. Bernd Dreyer, Product Manager for Sphaxx . According to Dreyer, Sphaxx is produced under glass in protected cultivation, ensuring reliable availability and purity. He emphasised that the material combines key performance characteristics of peat with the advantage of being a renewable resource, making it particularly suitable for quality-driven horticultural applications.

Zevenhoven noted that the diversity of raw materials used in substrate production is increasing and stressed the importance of maintaining the highest quality standards. He added that RHP certification ensures that international horticulture can continue to rely on functional and safe substrates delivering strong cultivation results, and welcomed protected-cultivated sphagnum as a newly certified raw material.

Moritz Böcking, Managing Director of the Klasmann-Deilmann Group, described the certification as part of the company’s broader transformation towards greater use of renewable raw materials while maintaining professional-grade substrate quality. He stated that the RHP quality mark provides customers with assurance of maximum safety.

RHP positions itself as an international knowledge centre for substrates, with its quality mark regarded as one of the most stringent standards in the global substrate industry.