The focus of Wageningen UR Glastuinbouw is on sustainable production systems for greenhouse horticulture
More green, less energy
Even from high in the sky the many greenhouses in the Netherlands are visible. The view confirms the position the country has been playing in international greenhouse horticulture formany decades. But the status quo is under constant threat and factors such as price/quality ratio, demand from consumers, sustainability and energy play an ever-increasing role. Moreover, the construction and operation of greenhouses have to be in line with the latest regulations and research results. In order to bring innovative solutions both to the greenhouse industry and to horticulture,Wageningen UR Glastuinbouwfully concentrates on the development and implementation of innovative concepts for these specific industries.
Wageningen UR Glastuinbouw is the world’s leading research institute in international greenhouse horticulture and focuses on the development of sustainable production systems for the greenhouse industry as well as horticulture. “It is our prime objective to transfer our know-how and expertise to industry in order to bring new innovations to a sector that strives to optimise production and production systems in all respects,” stresses Business Unit Manager Glastuinbouw dr. ir. Sjaak Bakker.
A symbiosis of parameters
Sustainable greenhouse horticulture is a combination of many different aspects. It requires sophisticated greenhouse construction, cultivation systems, crop control products and management systems, which all have to fit into an economical context that comprises the provision of electricity and heating. The entire process must work flawlessly to produce best-in-class results. Wageningen UR Glastuinbouw supports customers to find a solution that leads to production systems which incorporate all parameters as effectively as possible.
Greenhouse solutions worldwide
Every year the research institute carries out about 400 projects on a national and international basis. “We have worked on projects such as sustainable greenhouse production in Mexico, water-efficient greenhouse solutions in Saudi Arabia as well as on geothermal energy and its application in Turkish greenhouses,” states Mr. Bakker. “In general, it is our main vision to contribute to a sustainable greenhouse horticulture worldwide with regard to energy, employment and water. We offer products and services to support industry in testing the potential of their innovations for greenhouse horticulture.” This is why the institute’s activities include research on applied materials, for instance, as well as tests on cucumber breeding products for taste.
Strong cooperation with industry
Wageningen UR Glastuinbouw is a market-oriented organisation which aims at practicable solutions applied in industry. “We have introduced the first energy-producing greenhouse. Here, we have cooperated closely with partners fromindustry who have supplied the right materials,” says Mr. Bakker. It is important for the research institute and its 100 staff members to set up strong partnerships with industry in order to realise innovative products that can be implemented in greenhouse horticulture in the future.
