Premier Tech and Van der Knaap together at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference

Controlled-environment agriculture growers need partners that combine agronomic expertise, growing media performance, innovation, and reliability. Bringing those strengths together, Premier Tech and Van der Knaap will make their first joint appearance at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference, giving growers an opportunity to discover how their combined expertise and complementary solutions can support greenhouse and CEA operations.

As production systems become more specialized, growers are looking for more than individual inputs. They need access to dependable partners and solutions that align with their crops, growing conditions, and production goals.

Together, Premier Tech and Van der Knaap bring complementary capabilities in growing media, rooting, organic fertilizers and biological solutions, creating a strong platform to support professional growers.

A long-standing partnership enters a new chapter

Premier Tech’s acquisition of Van der Knaap builds on more than 30 years of collaboration. Over that time, the two companies have developed a solid business relationship and a clear understanding of their complementary strengths.

It is also a natural next step for two family-owned companies with strong foundations, shared values and a long-term vision, creating a solid basis for the next phase of growth and innovation. 

What this alliance means for CEA and greenhouse growers

For greenhouse and CEA growers, this alliance brings together complementary expertise that expands both choice and support. 

Van der Knaap contributes recognized expertise in growing media, organic fertilizers, rooting solutions and coco products. Premier Tech adds strength in growing media, biological solutions, biotechnologies, automation, innovation and global market reach.

Together, Premier Tech and Van der Knaap are better positioned to support professional growers with:

• deeper expertise
• broader capabilities
• a wider range of solutions
• accelerated innovation
• a stronger international footprint

This combination helps support growers across different crops, regions and growing conditions. It also gives them access to a more connected ecosystem of expertise, products and technical support.

From growing media to biological solutions

One of the clearest strengths of this alliance is the complementarity of the product portfolios.

It brings together established expertise in growing media and biologicals with coco products, rooting and organic fertilizer. This means access to recognized brands and solutions across the portfolio, including Premier Tech’s PRO-MIX® growing media and AGTIV® biologicals, as well as Van der Knaap brands Fibre-Neth®, Forteco®, Growing Soilutions and Obturo®.

For growers, that matters because decisions around growing media, rooting and biologicals are interconnected and can influence crop performance throughout the production cycle. By bringing expertise across these areas together, the combined portfolio provides more options to address different crops, growing conditions and production systems.

Together, these capabilities create a more complete offer for greenhouse and CEA growers looking for solutions aligned with their production goals.

Accelerating innovation in commercial growing conditions

The acquisition also expands Premier Tech’s innovation capabilities by connecting the expertise, technologies and product development resources of both organizations.

Van der Knaap’s innovation centre in the Netherlands becomes an important asset for the combined organization. Located in one of the world’s leading horticultural hubs, it strengthens access to advanced expertise in greenhouse production, growing media and crop performance.

It also creates stronger conditions for:

• testing in environments that replicate large-scale commercial greenhouses
• demonstrating product performance in representative growing conditions
• accelerating learning across teams and regions
• bringing new solutions to market faster

With innovation capabilities across North America, Europe and Asia, Premier Tech now has a broader global innovation footprint. For growers, that means access to a stronger network of knowledge, testing and product development shaped by both local realities and international expertise.

Expanding capabilities for the future of CEA

The alliance with Van der Knaap also fits within Premier Tech’s broader vision for controlled environment agriculture. As production becomes more specialized and technologically advanced, growers increasingly need solutions that connect horticultural expertise with automation and digital technologies.

That vision is reflected in Premier Tech Controlled Culture, Premier Tech’s newest business vertical. Focused on fully integrated and automated solutions for the CEA market, it brings together capabilities in:

• multi-layer growing solutions
• horticulture
• biological technologies
• automation
• digital solutions

By connecting these areas of expertise, Premier Tech Controlled Culture expands the ability to deliver integrated, end-to-end automated solutions for North American and European markets.

This approach responds to a market growing in importance as climate change, population growth, evolving consumer expectations and the need for more local and resilient food supply chains reshape food production.

Meet Premier Tech and Van der Knaap at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference

The Canadian Greenhouse Conference (CGC) is an opportunity to meet Premier Tech and Van der Knaap and learn how this alliance supports greenhouse and CEA growers.

• Event details
• Event: Canadian Greenhouse Conference
• Dates: October 7–8, 2026
• Location: Niagara Falls Convention Center, Niagara Falls, ON
• Booths: #1025 & #1029

Whether you are focused on propagation, edible crops, greenhouse production, or broader controlled environment agriculture strategies, CGC is an opportunity to connect with the team and explore how growing media, coco products, rooting and biological solutions can support your operation.

Connect with our team to discuss your crop, growing system and production goals.

FAQ

What does Premier Tech and Van der Knaap joining forces mean for CEA growers?

It means growers gain access to deeper expertise, broader capabilities, a wider range of growing media and biological solutions, and stronger innovation support across greenhouse and controlled environment agriculture.

Will Van der Knaap clients continue to work with the same teams?

Yes. Relationships remain central, and growers will continue working with the teams they know and trust while gaining access to broader expertise and solutions over time.

What solutions are included in the combined offer?

The combined offer includes expertise in growing media, coco products, as well as rooting solutions, organic fertilizers and biological solutions such as biostimulants, biocontrols and biofertilizers.

How does this alliance strengthen innovation?

It connects the expertise, technologies and product portfolios of both companies and expands access to innovation capabilities across North America, Europe and Asia, including Van der Knaap’s innovation centre in the Netherlands.

What is Premier Tech Controlled Culture?

Premier Tech Controlled Culture is Premier Tech’s most recent business vertical, focused on fully integrated and automated solutions for the controlled environment agriculture market.

Why is this relevant for greenhouse growers as well as CEA growers?

Many greenhouse and CEA operations share similar needs around crop performance, substrate strategy, rooting, innovation and production reliability. This alliance strengthens the ability to support both markets with a broader and more connected offer.