Tradition meets innovation

Ebstorf, August 2025 | EUROPLANT shareholders celebrate anniversary: 125 years of Kartoffelzucht Böhm and 50 years of Nordkartoffel Zuchtgesellschaft – Inauguration of the EUROPLANT Biotechnikum – Farewell to long-standing breeding director Dr Hans-Reinhard Hofferbert

On Friday, 15 August 2025, around 250 invited guests gathered in Ebstorf on the grounds of the new EUROPLANT Biotechnikum in glorious summer weather to celebrate four significant events. 

125 years of Kartoffelzucht Böhm: tradition meets innovation

The family-owned company Kartoffelzucht Böhm can look back on an impressive 125-year success story. What began as a pure potato breeding business has developed into a diversified company that is active in numerous fields. The company is currently undergoing a generational change from the fourth to the fifth generation of management – and remains in family hands.

‘I look back with great pride on what we have achieved in the past, and I am equally confident that we are on the right track with our next generation, who have now taken over the baton,’ says Dr Heinrich Böhm, managing director of Kartoffelzucht Böhm and great-grandson of the founder.

50 years of Nordkartoffel: Half a century dedicated to potatoes

Nordkartoffel Zuchtgesellschaft mbH also celebrated its 50th anniversary as part of this event. Founded in 1975 through the merger of three North German seed breeding companies, it has stood for combined expertise and efficient potato breeding for half a century. 

EUROPLANT Biotechnikum: A milestone for the future

Another highlight was the grand opening of the new EUROPLANT Biotechnikum. The state-of-the-art, energy-efficient laboratory represents an important milestone for the future of potato research. ‘We are delighted that the work processes, which were previously spread across various locations, are now being brought together in this central, technically advanced building,’ said Dr Justus Böhm, Managing Director of EUROPLANT. ‘The new building is an important step towards meeting the ever-growing demands of modern plant breeding.’

Recognition of long-standing service

During the celebrations, Dr Hans-Reinhard Hofferbert was also honoured on his retirement after many years as head of breeding at the Ebstorf site. ‘With his expertise and passion, Dr Hofferbert has produced numerous successful potato varieties and had a lasting impact on breeding work,’ said Böhm in his laudatory speech. ‘Under his leadership, 86 potato varieties were approved by the Plant Variety Office, 46 of which are still on the market.’ In addition to the table varieties REGINA and CORINNA, the starch variety EUROVIVA and the chip variety ISLARA, one of his greatest successes is the French fry variety DONATA, which was added to the McDonald's variety list in 2024. 

The successful event impressively underscored the innovative strength and future viability of the group of companies. With their combination of proven tradition and state-of-the-art technology, the participating companies are ideally equipped to meet the challenges of the coming decades.