Herdi opts for a dual-screen strategy with full LED

MAY 2026

Switching to full LED requires different choices in the greenhouse. At tomato company Herdi in Belgium, this has gradually become clear over the past few years. With a total of 9.5 hectares of greenhouse and full LED lighting, the conclusion is clear: double screens are not a luxury, but a necessity.

 A logical step towards double screens

Herdi is run by Bart De Langhe and Ellen Paelinck. What started as a 2-hectare operation in 2005 has grown over twenty years into a modern tomato business covering 9.5 hectares. During this period, cultivation practices have been continuously developed. The screening installations have also evolved and been upgraded where necessary. The real turning point came with the transition to LED lighting. “We started with SON-T in 2015, then moved to hybrid in 2019, and since 2023 we have been fully LED. The entire company now operates on LED.”

With that step, the way of managing the greenhouse also changed. “With LED lighting, you have less radiant heat. That means you need to manage your climate differently. That’s when you quickly arrive at double screens. Otherwise, you simply can’t maintain the temperature at the desired level.” The setup consists of Luxous 1147 H2no FR as the energy screen and Obscura 9950 FR as the blackout screen.

Installation in an operational greenhouse

The installation of the screens was carried out in close cooperation with installer Alweco, Herdi’s regular partner. “The installation went well, but it does require coordination. The system was installed during the growing cycle, while the screens themselves were only installed once the plants had been removed. After that, everything had to be completed quickly.” Hygiene plays a major role in tomato cultivation. “We have to deal with the risk of viruses, so you don’t want to take any chances. Thanks to clear agreements and tight planning, everything went smoothly.”

The project was carefully managed by Alweco

Ramon Bol shares his experience, a familiar face at Herdi: “I’ve known Bart and Ellen for about 20 years. You see the company grow and you understand where the challenges are—and therefore also where the solutions lie. That builds trust. We carried out the project in two phases, and the installation went smoothly. Tight planning, clear agreements—everyone knew what to expect.”

Learning by doing

As with many innovations, the biggest lessons often come from practice—and that’s no different at Herdi. “What would we have done differently in hindsight? We would have immediately equipped all greenhouses with double screens.” One greenhouse was initially converted to full LED during the growing cycle at the beginning of February, without a double-screen system. “I would never do that again. We’ve learned that now. That greenhouse has since also been fitted with double screens.”