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Pursuant to Article 3.39 of the Nature Conservation Act (Wnb), it is prohibited to trade or possess invasive exotics or belongings to species like the eggs of these exotics.

However, three exemptions are included in the Nature Conservation Regulation (Rnb), which is also to be amended, 3 actualy if it concerns non-commercial purposes, if it is in the context of eradication, control or management or if it contains dead Asian knotweeds, dead parts or dead Asian knotweed products.

Read the detailed change via the button below.

Read regulations (Dutch only)

Source: KRO/NCRV (Translated from Dutch)

The Japanese knotweed is spreading in the Netherlands. This exotic plant overgrows gardens, construction sites, and railways. The Japanese knotweed can grow ten centimeters per day and manages to penetrate the tiniest cracks in asphalt, pipes, and concrete. Control measures are necessary due to erosion of dikes and the weakening of embankments, as well as the displacement of native species. Some municipalities spend millions of euros annually on control efforts, and even citizens like Myrthe from Zeeland dedicate hours each week to subduing this invasive plant in their gardens. What can we do to stop the Japanese knotweed invasion?

Link to video

Source: Wageningen University & Research (Translated from Dutch)

TIBACH BV has developed a control method based on cold treatment that allows the rhizomes of Japanese knotweed to be controlled on site. The advantage of this is that no movement of contaminated soil is required. This prevents further spread of knotweed.

• See full report(NL)

Source: Het belang van Limburg, Belgium (Translated from Dutch)

It may appear innocent, but the Japanese knotweed is a true nuisance. This invasive species has been spreading rapidly throughout Flanders for decades, causing damage and disruption everywhere. Due to its strong growth power, even up to 20 centimeters per day, it can damage buildings, roads, and sewage systems. Additionally, it displaces native species. Once the plant emerges somewhere, it is difficult to get rid of it.
Local authorities are therefore searching for a solution involving sending 4,000 volts through the plant’s stems. Although it yields temporary results, the plant often doesn’t disappear completely.

Sensitive to cold

The Dutch company Tibach now aims to eradicate the invasive species using freezing temperatures. Director André Evers discovered that the Japanese knotweed is sensitive to the cold. “I noticed that the plant started turning brown in October and November,” he explains. “I dug up some roots and put them in the freezer at -10 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Then I took them out to see if any new growth would occur, but it didn’t happen.” Further research at Wageningen University confirmed that the plant dies, roots and all, at temperatures of -5 degrees Celsius. “Based on that, we developed a cooling machine powered by solar energy. The machine pumps coolant into two freezing pipes, which are placed among the rhizomes of the knotweed.”

Unprecedented results

The machine is still in the testing phase, but the results are unprecedented. “After one week, the plant is completely dead,” says Evers. “Electrocution also yields results, but it is a process that takes years. That technique can only be used in the summer months and needs to be repeated every four weeks. This machine can be used year-round, and one treatment is sufficient. There is no danger to the soil because native species already start growing there again after a few weeks.”

The cooling machine can cover an area of up to 28 square meters. In their own municipality of Oude IJsselstreek, Tibach can completely eradicate the plant within three years using this method. However, it comes with a significant price tag. “The cost is not yet known, but freezing is not cheap. We are currently working on both larger and smaller models. The goal is to eventually offer the machine for rent to businesses, governments, and individuals.”

Tibach plans to launch the machine on the international market next spring. Meanwhile, the Japanese knotweed continues to spread vigorously in Limburg. It already appears in sixty locations in Pelt. This year, the municipality is spending 15,000 euros on treating the plant. In the municipality of Hasselt, the costs amount to 50,000 euros. If left untreated, the invasion could easily surpass 100,000 euros per year in the next ten years.

This Achterhoek-based company has the solution: freezing temperatures!

Source: Gelderlander (Translated from Dutch)

ULFT/GENDRINGEN – The Japanese knotweed is a nuisance for those who have it in their gardens or on their property. Mowing, burning, and using pesticides have little effect on the plant, and it continues to spread. The Ulft-based Technical Innovation Bureau Achterhoek (Tibach) has come up with a solution: freezing. The first test setup is already operational in Gendringen.

At first glance, the Japanese knotweed may appear unremarkable, but those who encounter it can experience significant damage and disruption. These plants possess tremendous growth power, capable of causing harm to buildings, roads, sewage systems, and even compromising the stability of riverbanks and flood defenses. Moreover, the knotweed grows rapidly, up to twenty centimeters per day under optimal conditions.

Spreading

Keeping the plant in check by mowing is an option, but it doesn’t eliminate the problem. In fact, by spreading the cuttings through activities like tractor tires or clinging to clothing, the plant can spread even further. Experiments with injecting hot water or electrocution have shown some results, but the plant doesn’t disappear completely. The same applies to the application of the herbicide glyphosate.

Actually, digging up the plants and burning them has been the only method that truly works so far. However, it is very expensive. The soil must be excavated to a depth where all the roots are removed, and all the excavated soil must be disposed of.

“The Japanese knotweed grows very rapidly, up to twenty centimeters per day under optimal conditions..”

To permanently treat the plant, Tibach has developed a new, environmentally friendly method that kills the Japanese knotweed through freezing. A pilot project is currently underway in Gendringen. The company anticipates launching the machine on the market next spring.

Achterhoek: Tibach has spent the past year working on a unique method for treating Japanese Knotweed, the patent of which has now been submitted.

The method that Tibach is working on seems to be promising from the first tests and Tibach announced a field test in the autumn of 2020. The unique thing about the method is that knotweed can be eradicated with a single treatment. No harmful substances are used and no soil will be excavated, so that the environment remains intact.

With the method, up to 10 ㎡ can be simultaneously excavated of Japanese knotweed.

Tibach’s is currently focused on the field test that will take place in autumn this year.

Are you interested in or do you have questions about our treatment method? Please feel free to contact us via info@tibach.com or the contactform.