High light transmission and energy savings for IJsselgrow with Luxous 1147 FR

JANUARY 2021

On January 5, 2021, cucumber plants were planted in the new greenhouse of cucumber grower IJsselgrow in the Koekoekspolder, IJsselmuiden. Grower Klaas Limburg chose a new Luxous 1147 FR climate screen for the build. He has now weathered both severe winter cold and summer heat with the climate screen. The question is: how has that worked out?

The Luxous 1147 FR is a climate screen from Svensson developed especially for vegetable cultivation. The energy screen is the most light-transmitting in its class based on NEN2675 measurements — and that is exactly why Klaas chose the Luxous 1147 FR. “It lets through a lot of light,” he says. His previous good experiences with Svensson screens also influenced his choice: “I have good experiences. It is a reliable screen.”

When the greenhouse was taken into use in January, the weather was very cold outside. “We had the screen closed a lot, with movable plastic foil underneath against the cold. That foil was removed at the end of March. Now we are closing it up to about 80 percent every day against the harshest sun rays,” Klaas explains.

Continuous ridge ventilation with insect mesh

The new 4-hectare greenhouse is an extension of IJsselgrow’s existing 6 hectares. Maurice Kassenbouw built the greenhouse and also installed the climate screen. Commercial director Walter Buth describes an innovative feature of the greenhouse: “The greenhouse has continuous ridge ventilation combined with insect mesh. That is not new in itself, but it is new in cucumber cultivation.”

Walter notes that summers are becoming warmer and drier, increasing disease pressure. The insect mesh not only keeps aphids out but also birds that can carry viruses. “The insect mesh therefore keeps diseases spread by insects outside the greenhouse. This means Klaas needs to use fewer crop protection products, which contributes to more sustainable cultivation.”

Luxous 1147 FR for an optimal climate

The installation of the Luxous 1147 FR in IJsselgrow’s new greenhouse is a good example of smooth collaboration between the grower, greenhouse builder, and Svensson. The excellent light transmission of the screen ensures an optimal climate and high energy savings.