CNC Substrates

CNC Holding BV Announces Strategic Integration
Under New Global Brand: CNC Substrates

MILSBEEK, The Netherlands – April 15, 2026 – CNC Holding BV, a global leader in mushroom substrate production, today announced a major strategic integration of its business units. Launching just ahead of the international Mushroom Days (April 22-24, 2026), the company will now operate under a single, unified identity: CNC Substrates.

This integration marks a significant evolution in the company’s structure, bringing together the expertise of its Agaricus Division—specializing in white and brown mushroom substrates—and its Exotic Mushroom Division. By consolidating these branches under the new CNC Substrates brand and logo, the company aims to offer a streamlined, comprehensive “one-stop shop” experience for professional growers worldwide.

One Face to the Customer

The transition to CNC Substrates is designed to simplify the customer journey. By presenting “one face” to the market, CNC Holding BV ensures that mushroom growers can access a complete portfolio of high-quality substrates through a single, professional interface.

“Our goal is to improve our customer offering by providing a full range of substrates through an integrated marketing and sales team,” says Hildo Brilleman, CEO. “Whether a grower requires substrate for the Agaricus family or specialty exotic varieties, they can now rely on a unified standard of excellence and a simplified procurement process.“

Global Logistics and Production Excellence

To support this integrated offering, CNC Substrates leverages its modern production facilities in both the Netherlands and Poland. This dual-hub strategy facilitates:

Bulk Service across Europe: Efficient, large-scale delivery to European growers.
Global Reach: First-class logistical support, including specialized refrigerated transport, allowing the company to serve professional growers on every continent.

Digital Transformation: The New CNCSubstrates.com website

As part of its commitment to service through technology, CNC Substrates is officially launching its new digital platform this week. The website, www.cncsubstrates.com, serves as a central hub for the company’s entire product range and service offerings.

In a move to consolidate its digital presence, the previous domain names—cncgrondstoffen.nl, dto-bv.com, cncexoticmushrooms.nl, and vemespecials.nl—will now be redirected to the new central site. This digital evolution ensures that customers have immediate access to technical specifications, product innovations, and grower support.

A Future as a “Centre of Excellence”

The launch of CNC Substrates is more than a rebranding; it is a commitment to becoming the “Centre of Excellence” for the global mushroom substrate industry. By focusing on rigorous quality control, technological innovation, and superior logistical services, the company continues to work toward setting the industry standard for substrate performance.

Attendees of the Mushroom Days on April 22-24 are invited to learn more about the integration and explore the new product offerings.
Come and visit us at stand 6.11 in Hall 1.

About CNC Substrates

Based in Milsbeek, The Netherlands, CNC Substrates (a brand of CNC Holding BV) is a premier provider of high-quality substrates for the professional mushroom cultivation industry. With production sites in the Netherlands and Poland, the company delivers specialized Agaricus and exotic mushroom substrates to growers globally, supported by world-class logistics and a commitment to innovation.

Media Contact:

Alex Vos

Commercial Director

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

+31 6 18 62 79 43

www.cncsubstrates.com

Fungi are rapidly moving beyond niche innovation into a growing global ecosystem of startups, researchers and entrepreneurs.

Initiatives like the Future is Fungi Awards highlight how early-stage ventures are being supported to translate scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications.

From mycelium-based materials to biotech solutions and alternative proteins, these startups are exploring the full potential of fungi across industries. What stands out is not only the technology itself, but the increasing focus on collaboration, mentorship and knowledge sharing.

By connecting science with entrepreneurship, platforms like this are helping to accelerate innovation and lower the barrier for new ideas to reach the market, positioning fungi as a key driver in the emerging bioeconomy.

Please read the full article here.

China is increasingly focusing on the modernisation of its agrifood sector, with investments in technology, efficiency and supply chain development. These developments are not limited to major crops, but also have clear implications for sectors such as mushroom production.

As the world’s largest mushroom producer, China continues to play a key role in shaping global supply. The ongoing shift towards more advanced production systems, improved logistics and higher quality standards reflects a broader transition within the sector.

While the pace and scale differ from Western markets, the direction is clear. Modernisation is becoming a central theme, influencing how production systems evolve and how the industry positions itself for future demand.

Please read the full article here.

The European mushroom market continues to show steady growth, supported by changing consumer preferences and increasing demand for healthy and sustainable food options. Mushrooms are increasingly recognised for their nutritional value, versatility and relatively low environmental footprint.

Recent market insights indicate that this growth is not only volume-driven, but also shaped by diversification. While traditional button mushrooms remain dominant, there is a growing interest in specialty varieties and value-added products.

At the same time, producers are adapting to a more dynamic market, where pricing, consistency and product differentiation play a larger role. This reflects a sector that is evolving gradually, while building on a stable and well-established foundation.

Please read the full article here.

In a previous edition of Mushroom Matter Industry Insights, we explored how data, energy efficiency and robotics are shaping more integrated production systems.

In this edition, we look beyond technology alone and focus on three developments that are increasingly influencing the direction of the sector:

• labour strategy and workforce sustainability
• shifting market demand and specialty mushrooms
• collaboration across the value chain

Together, these themes highlight how the industry is evolving not only through innovation, but also through people, positioning and partnerships.

Labour strategy as a structural challenge

Labour has become one of the most defining factors in mushroom production.

Where it was once considered an operational topic, it is now a strategic issue that directly affects continuity, scalability and investment decisions.

Across the sector, growers are dealing with:

• ongoing labour shortages
• increasing labour costs
• the physical intensity of harvesting work

This is changing how farms are organised.

Instead of relying solely on availability, growers are rethinking how labour fits into the overall production system. This includes:

• redesigning workflows to reduce dependency on peak labour
• combining skilled workers with supportive technologies
• improving working conditions to retain experienced staff

Labour is no longer just about people, it is about creating a system that remains stable under pressure.

Shifting demand and the rise of specialty mushrooms

At the same time, market demand is becoming more diverse.

While traditional button mushrooms remain dominant, there is growing interest in specialty varieties such as oyster, shiitake and king oyster mushrooms.

This shift is driven by:

• changing consumer preferences
• increased focus on plant-based diets
• demand for new textures and flavours

For growers, this creates both opportunities and complexity.

Specialty mushrooms often require different cultivation methods, shorter shelf life management and more flexible production planning.

Rather than replacing existing production, they are increasingly seen as a complementary segment, allowing growers to diversify their offering and respond to changing market dynamics.

Collaboration across the value chain

Another important development is the growing need for collaboration.

The mushroom sector has traditionally been relatively fragmented, with clear separations between growers, suppliers, technology providers and buyers.

This is starting to change.

More and more, innovation and efficiency depend on how well different parts of the chain work together. This can be seen in:

• closer cooperation between growers and technology supplier
• data sharing across systems and partner
• alignment between production and market demand

Collaboration is not only about efficiency, but also about reducing risk and accelerating adoption of new solutions.

No single player can solve the current challenges alone.

Connecting the dots

What connects these developments is a broader shift in perspective.

• Labour is becoming part of system design
• Market demand is shaping production choices
• Collaboration is enabling innovation

Together, they show that the future of the mushroom industry is not defined by technology alone, but by how different elements are brought together.

A balanced way forward

The sector continues to move towards a model where:

• people and technology support each other
• production aligns more closely with market demand
• partnerships strengthen the overall system

This approach reflects a more mature phase of development, focused on balance, resilience and long-term viability.

Looking ahead

In the next edition of Mushroom Matter Industry Insights, we will explore several additional developments shaping the sector, including:

• the role of AI and data in decision-making on the farm
• new applications of fungi in materials and bio-based industries
• how automation continues to evolve in practical, farm-level use

It shows that real progress in the sector is not about moving faster, but about moving smarter, with the right balance between all elements.


Published by Mushroom Matter: connecting the global mushroom community through insight, innovation, and inspiration

Across different regions, regulatory frameworks are beginning to play a more visible role in the development of the mushroom and broader fungi sector.

From food safety standards to the approval of novel products and production methods, regulations are influencing how quickly new innovations can move from concept to market.

For producers and technology providers, this adds an additional layer to an already complex landscape. It requires not only technical innovation, but also alignment with evolving rules and certification processes.

While regulation is often seen as a constraint, it can also create clarity and structure within a growing industry. In that sense, policy developments are becoming an increasingly important factor in shaping the future of mushroom production and fungi-based applications.

Automation in mushroom farming has long been discussed as a way to improve efficiency. What is changing now is the growing pressure behind it. Labour shortages, rising costs and increasing demands on consistency are making it more difficult for farms to rely on traditional harvesting and packing processes alone.

In many cases, labour accounts for a significant share of production costs, while at the same time becoming harder to secure. This is shifting automation from a long-term ambition to a more immediate consideration. Rather than focusing on full replacement, many growers are exploring how technology can support specific tasks and reduce dependency on manual work.

Developments like these suggest that automation is becoming less of an option, and more a necessary step in maintaining stable operations.

Please read the full article here.

Source: The Packer

A new research initiative in Denmark is exploring how artificial intelligence and robotics can accelerate the development of fungi-based solutions.

By combining large-scale data analysis with automated experimentation, researchers aim to better understand how fungi behave and how they can be applied across different industries.

Rather than focusing on a single use case, the project looks at fungi as a broader biological platform, with potential applications in food, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. By increasing the speed and precision of research, this approach could help unlock new opportunities that would be difficult to identify through traditional methods.

While the impact on daily mushroom production may not be immediate, developments like these are likely to shape the future direction of the industry.

Please read the full article here.

Source: Innovation Fund Denmark