A sudden frost break in April, hail, heavy rain and other weather conditions, or the unwanted visit of an insect species in the fields: nowadays farms have to be prepared for almost everything. Based in Ulm, the GLAESERgrow division is working on solutions to ensure crop growth and harvest, even under extreme conditions.
Growth fleeces
Since 2010, GLAESERgrow has been engaged in the distribution and production of growth fleeces as well as films and nets for the fruit and vegetable industry. The GLAESERgrow growth fleece is used to cover plants directly on the ground, protecting them against frost, especially at night. They should create a uniform moisture and heat exchange and thus provide optimal and healthy growth of crops.
"The special fleece not only protects against the cold, wet and snow, but also speeds up fruit ripening, killing two birds with one stone." In fact, according to CEO Eberhard Brack, the growth fleece has given the company "disproportionate growth figures" and could continue to be a large growth market due to climate change.
The company had recently invested 2.5 million euros in the construction of a production site and new warehouses in Bernstadt near Ulm, which was inaugurated in August 2017. Among other things, the processing, packaging and finishing of the fleece rolls takes place at the new production site. "We are pleased to have created jobs in the region, attaching great importance to securing this site in Germany," emphasizes Division Manager Stephan Kohn.
Environmentally friendly alternatives
In addition to its flagship product, GLAESERgrow also has other innovative materials in its product range for improving agricultural growth. There is the Perfolia harvesting foil, that offers a growth-promoting microclimate similar to that of a greenhouse. "Throughout the day, this film absorbs solar energy and reduces infrared radiation from the ground during the night. The mulch film on strawberry and asparagus fields makes a valuable contribution to increasing yields and also suppresses weed growth, thus reducing the use of herbicides and sparing the environment," says Kohn.
Crop, hail and bird protection nets, highly innovative greenhouse films as well as straw, grain and hay bale protection fleeces complete the product range. A new addition is the GLAESERgrow sugar beet protection fleece. "All products share first-class quality and, thanks to properties such as high tear resistance, UV stability and weather resistance, they also have a long service life."
GLAESERgrow growth fleece over potatoes
Otherwise, Heinrich GLAESER GmbH is interested in keeping its environmental impact low. Stephan Kohn: "A part of our company recycles materials from the traditional industry, so it purchases and recycles the waste" In addition to this, a bachelor's thesis on sustainability was written. "Through this research, better ideas are looked for within the agricultural sector, trying to recycle nonwoven materials. "The topic of environmental correctness is very hot among our customers."
Global service
"We supply the entire fruit and vegetable industry -worldwide- with our range of covering solutions," says the divisional manager. "You will find our solutions in the countries bordering Germany first and foremost, but we are also doing well in South America. Where there is cultivation, we are present." He recently equipped a potato plant in Chile with the growth fleeces. Everything is centrally controlled from Ulm and supported by partners in different countries within Europe. 
GLAESERgrow is part of the GLAESER Group, headquartered in Ulm. It is a traditional family business that has been involved in the recycling, production and trade of textiles and plastics of all kinds since 1888 and has continued to evolve ever since. The company now employs more than 800 people within its various divisions.
At the company's booth (2 / N-12) at ExpoSE 2018, in Hall 2, you can seek advice, view product samples and find out more about the latest developments within the product range.
For more information:
Stephan Kohn
Heinrich GLAESER Nachf. GmbH
Blaubeurer Str. 263
89081 Ulm
Deutschland
Telefon: +49 (0)731 3981-178
E-Mail: grow@glaeser-textil-ulm.de
Web: www.glaeser-textil-ulm.de