Just as growers can no longer ignore the necessity of shade cloths in their greenhouses, so too will insect netting soon become indispensable. The vanguard of growers is already making the switch en masse, which has prompted Dutch Netting Systems to enter the insect netting market. They are doing so from De Lier with accordion netting, adding their own unique twist.
"We've managed to vertically secure the netting with a fiberglass rod," explains co-founder Gerdo Wennekers. Anyone looking up the greenhouse will quickly see one of our netting systems. "Within the constraints of current greenhouse designs, we have optimized the guiding system."
Dutch Netting Systems has been active for half a year now. Gerdo was first seen with the new company name on his business cards at the spring fairs. "The demand for insect netting seems to be growing ever larger. We're entering a market that's bustling with activity."
Suitable for many types of greenhouses
After the company was founded in November 2023, the focus was on developing a quality product. "For this, we conducted tests, including under a UV lamp. You have to test the netting for at least 1000 hours. That equates to more than one month of testing, and you can't really speed up the process," laughs Gerdo. The tests have been successfully completed, and the first steps towards projects are underway. "And we've already delivered our first products for export."
Initially, Dutch Netting Systems is focusing on supplying its own netting products through resellers. Direct installation is not part of the offer. "However, if a customer really wants us to take care of the installation, then custom solutions are certainly up for discussion." The new company sees opportunities in both new constructions and existing buildings and renovations, for Venlo greenhouses, wide-span greenhouses, and polytunnels alike.
Choice
Growers at Dutch Netting Systems can choose from accordion netting with various mesh sizes. "0.4x0.45 mm, 0.4x0.7 mm, 0.6x0.6 mm, and 0.8x0.8 mm are the standard mesh openings. Many growers opt for these, but there's more to choose from, down to the hundredth of a millimeter. The 'standard' mesh openings range from 0.15x0.35, the 'thrips netting', to 1x2.5 millimeters and everything in between."
The systems from Dutch Netting Systems can already be seen at work by three growers. At the horticultural fair GreenTech in Amsterdam, Gerdo will also bring a demo setup. "We're focusing on the markets close by, but we're also extending our reach internationally."
Commonplace
Before he became active in insect netting, Gerdo also gained a lot of experience in shade installations. He witnessed firsthand how initially growers were reluctant to adopt shading, about thirty years ago. "Later, as gas became more expensive, the installation of a shade cloth became a necessary evil. Now, it's no longer a question of whether, but how many shade cloths a grower wants to have: one, two, or even three. And so, shading has become commonplace."
With the rise of insect netting, they see a parallel in De Lier. "What happened with shade installations, in our opinion, will also happen with insect netting within the next ten years. The turning point at which insect netting is seen as a 'necessary evil' will occur in the coming years. Knowledge from The New Cultivation, which shows that less ventilation on hot days does little to affect the crop, also helps. It demonstrates that netting does not have to be an obstacle to good cultivation.
At GreenTech, from June 11th to 13th at the RAI in Amsterdam, the company will be found at stand 01.145 where Gerdo and his team will welcome all interested parties and showcase their product.
For more information:
Dutch Netting Systems
De Hondert Margen 23
2678 AC De Lier
+31 (0)174 79 40 10
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.dutchnettingsystems.com