The Power of the Greenhouse: Dutch farmers leading the way
Increased productivity thanks to smart use of steel
Dutch farmers are renowned worldwide as the very best. They are the people who provide us with food and color. Thanks to these farmers, we can rely on fresh, locally grown food. We enjoy tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers from the Westland region, strawberries from Brabant, and stunning roses from Aalsmeer that brighten living rooms across the globe. In turn, these farmers depend on the greenhouse.
They operate modern greenhouses equipped with advanced technologies such as climate control, irrigation, and disinfection systems. These technologies enable large-scale food cultivation and increased production, yielding millions of kilograms of fruits and vegetables.
More than just a collection of glass
When people think of a greenhouse, they think of glass. But it’s the steel structures and specialized interior work, made of pipes and panels, that truly make greenhouse cultivation exceptional. Steel makes greenhouse construction possible and allows farmers to scale up. They can water, heat, and disinfect more crops simultaneously, thus increasing production.
Many crops are no longer grown on the floor inside greenhouses. Instead, they grow in gutters that are hundreds of meters long, hanging from the roof! These gutters are made from our specialized steel, Advantica® Horti Control, which is shaped into cultivation gutters from steel sheets. These gutters are positioned at an ideal working height above the ground. They feature a special protective coating, helping to fight pathogens ecologically and enhancing light yield within the greenhouse. This enables farmers to cultivate more sustainably.
In addition to the cultivation gutters, there are kilometers of pipes. These are known as precision tubes, equipped with a special coating that protects them from the humid greenhouse environment, ensuring extra durability. Where needed, these pipes reflect light, enabling plants to receive more light and grow better.
The heating pipes, Forcas®, conduct heat optimally, minimizing energy loss. Thanks to their small diameter, hot water flows quickly through them, allowing farmers to have faster control over the greenhouse climate.
Other pipes, known as Contiflo®, are used in various greenhouse systems, such as those controlling shading and ventilation. This specialized steel is coated internally to prevent rust. In many greenhouses, automated trolleys travel along these pipes to distribute plant nutrients, which means the pipes also need to be strong.
In addition to these applications, our steel is also found in the wall panels of the greenhouse. Beyond the greenhouse, our steel is integral to other areas of the food chain! Whether it’s in agricultural machinery, transport, or food cans, our steel plays a crucial role.
Did You Know...?
Did you know that Dutch farmers’ expertise is a valuable export product? Countries like Australia, Canada, the United States, Tunisia, and nearly all European nations invest in Dutch farmers’ knowledge to cultivate crops locally. Not only do they acquire expertise in horticulture, but they also purchase greenhouse construction technology, which travels right along with the knowledge!