Philips joins Greenport Holland International
Philips Lighting is the market leader in lighting, with a solid network throughout the world. Horticulture is an important growth market for the innovative LED lighting, which is contributing to better and faster growth, higher production and of course reduced energy consumption. In addition to the traditional high-tech horticulture countries such as the Netherlands and Canada, Philips sees new opportunities in Japan, China, the United States and Eastern Europe.
“LEDs make new cultivation methods possible, such as growing lettuce in multiple layers in climate cells. So now you can grow lettuce anywhere in the world, irrespective of climate or soil conditions,” says Udo van Slooten, who is responsible for LED horticultural lighting at Philips. “LEDs can produce higher yields for tomatoes too. The tomato is the most-grown greenhouse crop in the world. By joining Greenport Holland international Philips is hoping to become even more involved with partners in Dutch horticulture in the growth countries so as to contribute to the modernization of horticulture worldwide.”
GHI is very pleased to welcome Philips into its ranks. “Philips’ products and know-how are a good addition to the existing fields of expertise,” says Roland Peereboom, a director at GHI. ”And of course Philips brings a good reputation with it. By doing this Philips is strengthening GHI’s international and substantive position and GHI is strengthening Philips Lighting’s position in international horticulture.”
GHI, a separate foundation under Greenport Holland’s colors, specializes in increasing the Dutch horticultural cluster’s earning capacity and strengthening the Netherlands’ position as a Center of Excellence through international, long-term horticultural projects. For China, India and South Africa steps are now being taken along the road to concrete projects.