Sustainability is surely one of the most prominent topics in contemporary agriculture. With the goal of achieving a net-zero greenhouse operation, Koppert Cress set up a sister company named Division Q. WIth their base in Monster, the Netherlands, they are working on novel techniques to up the sustainability game of the Horti industry.
In their demo greenhouse, for instance, they are looking into new insulation methods. One of the systems uses air bubbles, designed to shield the greenhouse while allowing diffuse light to penetrate.
The greenhouse features double walls and a double deck that can be filled with air bubbles. The system functions as a form of switchable cavity wall insulation, where trapped air creates an insulating layer. While promising, the technology is still under development. One of the current challenges involves determining how long the soap used for the air bubbles remains effective.
A tech developed out of necessity
The initial conceptualization occurred in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when Division Q was approached by a Dutch-Norwegian start-up interested in implementing the technology in Dutch greenhouse horticulture. Despite limited resources, Division Q provided space to facilitate the project.
However, the project faced a significant challenge when the founder of the start-up, Anton Paardenkoper, passed away unexpectedly. At that point, Division Q had to decide whether to abandon the project or continue. Fortunately, they went for the latter.
More applications
While the demo greenhouse serves as a valuable testing ground, Division Q sees greater potential in adapting the technology for greenhouses. The team points out that creating a full greenhouse using this system is not yet feasible, but applying it to facades is a practical and achievable goal. A double wall with switchable insulation is a solution that could soon be implemented on a larger scale.
For more information:
Division Q
[email protected]
divisionq.nl