Van der Linden Koot has become the new owner of a tomato greenhouse in Vierpolders, in the Dutch province of South Holland. The greenhouse is currently being renovated so that cucumber plants can be introduced at the beginning of February. As part of the renovation, HS Tuinbouw Service has been contracted to treat the greenhouse gutters with a special coating, extending their service life.
The former tomato greenhouse is equipped with FeBox gutters, a gutter system that has developed corrosion over the years. Several greenhouses with this type of gutter have already undergone renovation. Van der Linden Koot opted for a technique developed by HS Tuinbouw Service to structurally reinforce the gutters and preserve them in a durable way.
Coating against corrosion
"In the past, we assisted a greenhouse builder with the construction of multiple greenhouses using this gutter system," says John Torenstra, CEO of HS Tuinbouw Service. "At several growers, we remained responsible for maintenance after construction. That means we know these gutters very well. We have closely followed the development of the FeBox gutter and, unfortunately, have also seen corrosion and gutter failure occur."
According to Torenstra, the initial response to ageing FeBox gutters was often demolition and complete replacement. In search of an alternative solution that would allow HS Tuinbouw Service to work independently of gutter suppliers, the Westland-based company turned to Finland. "There, we found a manufacturer that developed a coating suitable for use on greenhouse gutters. This coating has already been applied on bridges and drilling platforms, where it was used on steel affected by rust."
Stopping rust
The coating used has specific properties. "It is not a paint, but an elastic rubber coating. Paint can crack when it dries or when the substrate moves. This coating moves with the material. In addition, it can be applied under challenging weather conditions."
Where gutters have started to rust, it is essential to stop the corrosion process. Rust requires oxygen, moisture, light and air, the greenhouse maintenance specialist explains. "Our approach is to remove the old coating and apply the new specialised coating. In this way, the rusting process is halted and the greenhouse can remain in use for many more years," Torenstra says, stressing that timely intervention is crucial.
© HS Tuinbouw Service B.V.
Preventative maintenance
HS Tuinbouw Service has long emphasised the importance of preventive maintenance and proper greenhouse upkeep. This approach allows corrosion to be identified at an early stage, enabling timely intervention. If action is taken too late, holes can develop in the gutters. In such cases, the Westland-based company can still renovate the system. "Where holes have formed, we treat the steel with the same coating and install a new gutter liner, or we place specially developed supports when damage has occurred on the side of a gutter," Torenstra explains.
In the Vierpolders greenhouse, these specially designed supports are used to restore gutters where holes have developed in the side walls. "This delivers a double benefit," he says. "The gutter is repaired, and the overall structure is strengthened. That improves storm resistance, which is also viewed positively by insurers."
550 hectares of greenhouse
In total, the gutters in 48,840 square metres of greenhouse area are being treated before the compartments are filled with cucumber plants. The HS Tuinbouw Service team is approaching the final phase of the work. Temporary weather-related interruptions did not affect the overall planning, as progress had already been made earlier in the project. According to Torenstra, the scope was expanded at the client's request, with all remaining gutters now included in the renovation.
The same coating was previously applied at snack pepper grower Sweetpoint, during the transition between the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons. "During that project, growers regularly visited to see how the coating was applied," Torenstra says. He notes that the option to renovate FeBox gutters using this coating is attracting increasing interest from growers. "We are already receiving enquiries for the coming season. In the past, we were involved in the construction of around 550 hectares of greenhouse area using this type of gutter."
This suggests that a significant volume of renovation work lies ahead. HS Tuinbouw Service says it is prepared for that demand. "It is labour-intensive work that often needs to be carried out within a short window during crop changes," Torenstra concludes. "We have the people and the techniques for this. After treatment, the gutters can last another 10 to 15 years."
For more information:
HS Horticultural Service B.V.
Slotenmakerstraat 15
2672GC Naaldwijk
Tel.: 0174-501368
[email protected]
www.hstuinbouwservice.nl
