Dutch tech company CE-Line, developer of sensor technology for greenhouse horticulture, has been declared bankrupt. The international branch, CE-Line International, is also in a state of bankruptcy. The trustee is investigating a potential restart, and interested parties are invited to come forward.

The CE-Line system, developed by the scale-up from Emmeloord in the Dutch province of Flevoland, enables real-time laboratory analysis of nutrient levels in irrigation and drainage water. The company developed a 'plug-and-play' measuring system that can be connected to the grower's existing water supply, but also be used in water-saving and recycling processes, such as wastewater reuse. After an intensive development and testing phase, the company launched this measurement system in 2023. That same year, Dutch horticultural investment group Horticoop and the Irish Yield Lab Europe invested in the company. Both became minority shareholders, each holding about 15%.

CE-Line's technology has received widespread praise. This year, the company won both the Product Innovation Award at the U.S.-based Indoor Ag-Con trade show and the "Future-Proof Technologies" Theme Award, part of the Dutch Horticultural Entrepreneurs Award. Nevertheless, the company filed for bankruptcy, which was granted on July 23, 2025, by the District Court of Midden-Nederland.

"The market is too dynamic for a small company," notes CEO Simon Meijer. "At GreenTech 2023, CE-Line launched its key innovations. There's certainly interest, but a few years after introduction, the curve has to start bending upward. That's when it needs to take off."

"We see that import tariffs from the U.S. and the associated uncertainty have really hurt us," he continues. "We definitely have orders, but deliveries keep getting pushed back. This is something the entire horticultural sector is dealing with. At a certain point, it just takes too long for a start-up. We simply didn't have enough fat on our bones."

Bankruptcy trustee Bas van Dijen from Okkerse & Schop Advocaten is currently busy taking inventory and exploring a possible restart.

"Before the bankruptcy, there were discussions with parties regarding participation or acquisition, due to the company's financial difficulties," he confirms. "Our first impression is of a loyal and skilled team, but the bankruptcy didn't happen without reason. We're trying to minimize the damage for all parties and ensure continuity for customers. We're now assessing the situation and starting talks with market players interested in the technology, the company, and the people, so that a restart can be made from the bankruptcy." A number of interested parties have already come forward, and others can contact the trustee.

Commitment and professionalism
"Although there was global interest in this technology, commercial rollout proved difficult. Factors such as postponed investment decisions and uncertainties around international trade flows—including import tariffs—led to delays in various greenhouse projects," Horticoop also confirms on its website. "The CE-Line team, together with its partners, made a strong and professional effort to bring the technology to market successfully. In consultation with the trustee, we're now exploring whether a restart in another form is possible, with a focus on preserving the knowledge and technology. Ongoing matters are being handled with care."
 

Source: www.floraldaily.com