Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is expanding its research facilities with the Serre Green project — a cutting-edge greenhouse covering 4,096 m², divided into 31 uniquely equipped compartments. For the construction, WUR has once again selected Bosman Van Zaal as its partner.
© Bosman Van Zaal
The compartments are designed to facilitate research under a wide range of cultivation conditions and systems. Some spaces will feature substrate gutters, while others will be fitted with different types of benches, including rolling containers and hydroponic systems. There will also be dedicated compartments for tropical crops, short-day plants, and potato cultivation.
© Bosman Van Zaal
"This project brings together all our areas of expertise," says Rami Alsouqi, Technical Consultant at Bosman Van Zaal. "From greenhouse construction to climate systems, from water technology to screening installations, we manage and deliver the entire project from start to finish."
Bosman Van Zaal has previously completed several other high-profile WUR projects, including the Red greenhouse, the InsektGreenhouse, and the NPEC greenhouse.
© Bosman Van Zaal
The engineering phase is already underway, with construction scheduled to begin in September 2025. Completion is planned for October 2026.
Once operational, Serre Green will serve not only as a research facility for new cultivation methods and smart technologies, but also as a place where students can gain hands-on research experience. The greenhouse will be equipped with an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) system for sustainable heating and cooling.
Investing in financially challenging times
Serre Green will replace part of Unifarm's aging greenhouse complex, providing space for advanced, sustainable plant research and high-quality university education for the next 20 years. The project is co-financed by a grant from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) under its Applied Research Facilities funding program (FTO/TO2).
WUR emphasizes that this investment comes during economically challenging times. From 1 January 2028, the university will face €80 million less in funding for education and research. To maintain its global leadership in plant research, the construction of this new greenhouse is seen as essential. It will also contribute to practical solutions for major societal challenges, including sustainable food production and the effects of climate change.
Serre Green will complement WUR's existing Unifarm research facilities, such as NPEC (Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre) — where advanced technology is used to precisely monitor plant growth — and Serre Red, a high-security greenhouse used for plant research under the strictest containment level.
Text source: Bosman Van Zaal/WUR
For more information:
Bosman Van Zaal
Tel: +31 297 344 344
[email protected]
www.bosmanvanzaal.nl
