Certhon's core mission is simple yet ambitious: "Growing anything, anywhere. For everyone." Specializing in the development of high-tech greenhouses and systems, they are committed to creating solutions that enable the production of fresh, sustainable food anywhere in the world.
"In the past year, we've focused on truly developing and pushing the boundaries of controlled environment agriculture, optimizing our systems for maximum efficiency and sustainability," says Lotte van Rijn, CEO at Certhon. "The year has been challenging yet rewarding for us, advancing our projects in automation, which is a key area of development for Certhon," she adds. One of the standout projects for the company in 2024 is Artemy, the harvest robot, which aims to ease the harvesting process in greenhouses.
Thermal energy
The integration of thermal energy storage technology is valuable for Certhon's sustainable practices. "Thermal energy storage is a method used to store excess thermal energy, often from renewable sources, for later use when demand is higher or when renewable energy production is low," Lotte explains.
Certhon has developed energy-efficient systems that incorporate thermal energy storage, optimizing greenhouse heating solutions. "By storing excess energy, we can reduce energy consumption and costs while improving the sustainability of our operations, especially in greenhouses where heating and cooling needs fluctuation," says Lotte.
Water and energy management
While Certhon does not directly engage in drilling projects, the company is deeply involved in water and energy management solutions. "We focus on solutions related to water and energy management, such as efficient irrigation and climate control systems," Lotte notes. These technologies are important, particularly in regions with limited access to resources or extreme climates.
"We collaborate with specialists to integrate geothermal systems and ground source heat pumps into our greenhouse solutions. Technologies like geothermal heat pumps help to improve energy efficiency," Lotte explains. These systems help to utilize the Earth's natural heat, providing a sustainable and cost-effective way to regulate greenhouse temperatures.
Winter demands and energy-efficiency
During the winter months, maintaining optimal growing conditions becomes challenging. "In colder climates, especially during winter months, we see increased interest in our climate control systems, including heating and light optimization," says Lotte. As the demand for energy rises in the winter, Certhon's systems are designed to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources while maintaining the conditions necessary for year-round production. "The focus is on sustainability," Lotte adds.
Project Greencoop
The harvest robot Artemy
One of the most exciting projects at Certhon is Artemy, the harvest robot, designed specifically for greenhouses. "Artemy is designed to completely automate the harvesting process, improving both efficiency and labor conditions," says Lotte. The robot is expected to enhance the speed and accuracy of harvesting, reducing the need for manual labor and lowering operational costs.
"Artemy has shown great promise in testing and is deploying further on a larger scale in the coming year," Lotte reveals. In addition to Artemy, Certhon is also working on improving and automating other systems, such as lighting and irrigation, to further reduce environmental impact and increase crop yields.
Overcoming challenges
Certhon faces certain challenges, particularly in adapting its technologies to meet diverse market conditions. "Different climates, regulatory environments, and customer needs require highly adaptable solutions," Lotte acknowledges. "To address these challenges, we place a strong emphasis on continuous testing and innovation," she adds.
Certhon's Innovation Centre is key in this process, where ideas are tested and refined before being implemented. "We continue to learn, innovate, and grow through collaboration with industry partners and feedback from real-world tests," Lotte says. The company's expertise in both Research & Development and agronomy ensures that the solutions developed not only meet technological needs but also align with the natural processes of plant growth.
"By speaking the language of plants, we can design solutions that are both practical and efficient," Lotte says.
Growing sustainably
"We are focused on continuing to develop technologies that make food production more sustainable, efficient, and accessible," says Lotte.
In 2025, Certhon will continue to focus on advancing automation and energy-efficient solutions, with Lotte noting, "We're excited to keep pushing forward with new technologies and expanding our presence worldwide." The company aims to make local food production more accessible and efficient, particularly in markets where traditional agricultural practices are not viable.
For more information:
Certhon
ABC Westland 555
2685 DG, Poeldijk
Tel.: +31 (0)174 22 50 80
[email protected]
www.certhon.com