The company from 's-Gravendeel (Netherlands) offers both NFT (Nutrient Film Technology) and DFT (Deep Flow Technology) systems, and the grower is advised on the basis of the climate he cultivates in. In an NFT system, gutters are used where the roots of the crop hang in water. The water quality is constantly monitored and adjusted and a healthy product grows. During the growth the gutters can move apart so that the crop gets the space to grow. Van der Stoel: "This system is less suitable for growing in warmer climates. The water heats up fairly quickly, which makes it too hot for the roots."
But their service is not limited to automation and delivering systems. Van der Stoel: "Of course there are plenty of machine builders who can supply a crane to lift floats out of the water, that's not so difficult." The challenge is to also give advice and design systems that thoroughly focus on creating ideal cultivation conditions. It is precisely this combination of focusing on growing conditions and also on the user-friendliness of the system that yields a successful formula.
Industrial Product Solutions is also busy developing new systems. For example, the company introduced a patented system with which dissolved oxygen can be added to irrigation water. They are also working on a tracking system for DFT cultivation where every dependent batch of floats can easily be found in the cultivation situation, for example to identify the cause behind diseases.
Healthy products, that's what it's all about. And certainly not only in the Netherlands. In 2015, a production location entirely designed by Industrial Product Solutions was built in the Chinese city of Lüwochuan. On 2 hectares lettuce is grown hydroponically and now strawberries are also grown on 6 hectares. André: “Within six months of finishing the installation, vegetables were delivered from that nursery to the G20 summit that was held there. That's a huge compliment obviously.”
At the 8 hectare greenhouse area there are also 4 hectares dedicated to 'vegetable recreation' that makes it into a kind of vegetable recreation park. André: "Vegetable recreation is really on the rise in China. As a project manager I am also involved in the development of a 24-hectare project in Guangzhou, where 10 hectares of greenhouses will be built. Production is the main goal there, unlike many other government-subsidized projects that I think are more for prestige purposes. The park will also contain flower beds and vacation housing.”
For more information:
Industrial Product Solutions BV
M. +31 (0) 646713208
T. +31 (0) 78 3040000
E. info@industrialproductsolutions.nl
W. www.industrialproductsolutions.nl