Canada: Truly Green to build second phase in 2015

According to Chathamdailnews.ca, Chatham-Kent's newest greenhouse complex is planning for its first expansion in 2015 and, with that, infrastructure that would allow it to use waste heat from the GreenField Ethanol plant that could cut heating costs by as much as 50%.

At the same time, Truly Green president Greg Devries says plans are in place to purchase carbon dioxide from the ethanol plant, to be used to increase Truly Green's tomato production by as much as 5%.

Devries provided an update on Truly Green's status at the Chatham-Kent Farm Show on Thursday.

The first phase of the complex takes in 22.5 acres and was completed last July, with the first tomato crop planted on July 4. The harvest began in late August, and right now Devries and his staff are preparing for the greenhouse's second tomato crop. Planting is to begin next Monday.

Truly Green is unique to Chatham-Kent because it produces tomatoes, whereas other greenhouses within the municipality grow cucumbers or bell peppers. But it's also unique because of its business association with GreenField Ethanol. A collaboration between the two companies will eventually see Truly Green using GreenField's waste heat for its greenhouses, along with utilizing some of the carbon dioxide emitted by the plant.

Eventually, the Truly Green complex will be spread over 90 acres, with employment for up to 200 workers. Devries is one of the investors; there are two other Chatham-Kent families involved in the venture.

Devries said Truly Green's collaboration with GreenField has sparked interest within Canada's greenhouse industry, and he's fielded inquiries from other jurisdictions about the greenhouse's business plan and its planned use of waste heat and Greenfield's carbon dioxide.

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