A remarkable project for organic food production is currently being developed in Straelen, Germany. Vitarom Straelen Bio is investing 25 million euros in the construction of an organic greenhouse with a sustainable energy supply, which will be complemented by an adjoining biotope.
The new organic greenhouse will cover around seven hectares and feature state-of-the-art technology with numerous sensors to guarantee optimal production conditions. The energy supply concept is also unique in North Rhine-Westphalia, relying on wood chip heating, heat pumps, electricity from wind and solar power systems, and soon also geothermal energy
© Cogas Climate Control
At the fourth and final stop of its "Summer Tour 2025," the Kleve District Economic Development Agency visited Vitaland and Vitarom Straelen Bio. The Summer Tour is themed "The Kleve District is Growing: Major Investments in a Strong Economy." In Straelen, the Economic Development Agency was accompanied by journalists as well as Bernd Kuse, Mayor of Straelen, and Uwe Bons, the city's economic development officer.
In 1991, the first greenhouse was built on a 5,000-square-meter site on Holter Feld Road. "Today we produce tomatoes on an area of eight hectares, that is, 80,000 square meters," explained Matthias Draek, Managing Director of Vitaland, during the company visit. Now, alongside conventional cultivation, a completely new business field is being added: with Vitarom Straelen Bio GmbH under Managing Director Dominik Baum, the company is moving into organic farming. "Even today, in our conventional operations, we are already practicing near-organic production through the use of advanced technology. With our new project, we are taking this a step further by cultivating directly in soil. The result: fresh organic vegetables from the region," said Baum.
© WFG Kreis KleveDominik Baum shows the new greenhouse.
In the organic greenhouse currently under construction, tomatoes and peppers are expected to be grown on nearly seven hectares starting next year. "We expect the first harvest of organic produce in April 2026," Baum explained to visitors. With the greenhouse, VITAROM Straelen Bio GmbH aims to avoid CO₂ emissions. "Through the use of innovative technologies and environmentally friendly, sustainable cultivation methods, we are fulfilling our responsibility to help reduce the ecological footprint," emphasized the managing director.
The large-scale project includes several unique features. The organic greenhouse will have an energy supply system that is one of a kind in North Rhine-Westphalia. In addition to a wood-fired heating system and heat pumps powered by solar and wind energy, biogas will also be used. Preparations are also being made for the integration of geothermal energy. All of this is aimed at avoiding CO₂ emissions. Another special feature, also aligned with sustainability, is the creation of a biotope directly adjacent to the new organic greenhouse. Covering about 3.5 hectares—half the greenhouse area—it will provide new habitats for plants and animals.
"This newly developed concept is not only unique to the region but also promotes biodiversity and creates ecological balance. It embodies our sustainability strategy," explained Vitaland Managing Director Matthias Draek. Altogether, according to the company, this will become the first major organic project in the Rhineland. For Vitarom, this major investment is a "sustainable response to the growing demand for regional organic vegetables."
Kleve District Economic Development Director Brigitte Jansen was impressed by what is being created in Straelen. "Today we gained exciting insights into a challenging project. Here, cutting-edge technology is being used to realize a sustainable flagship project that will also create new jobs for the region." About 50 new employees are expected to work in the new organic greenhouse. Straelen's Mayor, Bernd Kuse, was also enthusiastic: "Here, a sustainable vision for the future is being implemented with great innovative strength. Through this major investment, Straelen is further expanding its position in our strong agribusiness sector."
For more information:
Matthias Draek
Vitaland GmbH
Holter Feld 48
47638 Straelen
Tel: +49 2271 9955410
[email protected]
https://vitarom.de/
