Demand from strawberry growers who wanted to save on substrate has resulted in a new, narrower meter bin. The container can hold 14.5 liters of substrate. This saves growers 10% on substrate, calculates Sales manager Hans Luijkx of Bato Plastics. Production of the new trays has already started at the company. The first bins have already been delivered to a strawberry grower in Germany.
"The quality of substrate is getting better and better, allowing one to make the same number of kilos with less volume," Hans knows. He points to the ever-increasing price of substrate. "Growers who start working with our tray need less substrate to fill the tray. That saves them in substrate costs."
14.5-liter tray with truss support
Because the top dimensions of the (extra) narrow meter tray have remained the same compared to the existing Bato meter trays, planting can be done in the same way. "The saving in volume is achieved because the tray is narrower at the bottom," he says.
The new 14.5-liter tray is a further development of the Wave Plus 16-litre tray. Because the tray is narrower, a narrower drainage channel can also be used. To prevent buckling trusses, the substrate tray can also be equipped with truss catchers. The 16-liter tray can also be supplied with truss support.
14.5-liter hopper without truss support
Bato positions itself in the market as a 'customization partner.' "With our own R&D department, together with our partner, we develop new products from product idea to a final product."
For more information:
Bato Plastics 
Munterij 2
4762 AH Zevenbergen
+31 (0)168 331 030
bato@bato.nl
www.bato.nl