In the world of horticulture, cleaning greenhouses and equipment is a challenging and demanding task. Growers strive for thorough cleaning without the use of brushes, preferably with cold water and minimal use of harmful chemicals to protect the environment. The cleaning process of AR-coated glass must be fast, leave no streaks, and also not cause damage to prevent light loss.
In this context, Dennis Grootscholte, an experienced grower, and Gerard Schepers, an expert chemist, emerge as the driving forces behind Cleantechnics, a company providing innovative solutions for the horticultural sector.
The beginnings of Cleantechnics
The origins of Cleantechnics go back to 2013. That's when the actual seed was planted. At the time, Gerard was a supplier to 4Evergreen, Dennis and his family's pepper cultivation company, for silver stabilized hydrogen peroxide. At the time, that product was emerging as a promising disinfectant for water systems in horticulture.
The introduction of AR Clean in 2018 was where it really began for Cleantechnics. The product emerged in response to growers' needs, which focused on cleaning AR glass without causing damage. Gerard offered several options to address this issue. The final choice was AR Clean, which was successfully marketed through Dennis and Gerard's company.
Applying FoamOrg in 4Evergreen greenhouse
In recent years, Cleantechnics has evolved and developed a wide range of solutions, including the popular Oxiline-50, which contains silver as a crucial ingredient. Gerard emphasizes the importance of the right dose of silver in hydrogen peroxide to form optimal effects in water systems.
FoamOrg: Responding to new challenges
Dennis and Gerard have a keen eye for challenges in horticulture and work closely with growers to find solutions. FoamOrg is another product that emerged from this collaboration. This cleaning product, born out of informal conversations and brainstorming sessions, responds to growers' growing need for quick and thorough cleaning, especially in the face of increasing virus pressure. "FoamOrg has proven to be an effective and efficient solution."
The product can do more "than we currently know," Gerard stresses. Removing algae fouling from stubble slabs, for example. Many growers use the plates, which have a high insulation value and are therefore interesting in times of energy crisis. Among others, 4Evergreen had to deal with algae contamination on the slabs. FoamOrg was deployed to clean the slabs. With success. The supplier of the slabs has already tested it and found it works well, as has now a supplier of screen cloth and greenhouse gutters.
Cleaning stubble slabs with FoamOrg, with results on the right. The algae contamination has disappeared.
Demonstrations and cooperation
Cleantechnics' reputation is growing mainly through word of mouth and enthusiastic recommendations. The company does not sell its products directly through a website but emphasizes demonstrations and personal interaction. Growers often get the chance to test the products themselves, leading to valuable feedback and improvements.
"It's like new again," says a grower in a video about a cart that is shiny and clean again. "But yes, we also have a more powerful pressure washer," the growers adds, laughing. "I don't want to give all the credit to Gerard."
With FoamOrg, growers can now clean properly and quickly. "One person now spends one hour cleaning 30 carts. It was much slower before." Interacting with growers and solving their specific challenges are essential aspects of Cleantechnics' approach.
Cart cleaning with FoamOrg
Future innovations
Dennis and Gerard's company has developed into a player with an extensive range of products that meet a variety of challenges in the horticultural sector. From cleaning coated glass to tackling dirt on greenhouse materials, the company continues to innovate. Gerard and Dennis strongly believe in continuous development and emphasize that spontaneous ideas often arise during informal conversations. They value the interaction between challenges and solutions that form the basis of their collaboration.
Recently, a newly developed product, GA-Clean, was tested on AR-coated glass for removing stubborn contamination caused by aphid nuisance in cultivation. The results are particularly good, Gerard observes. "DLV conducted glass safety tests for AR-coated glass with GA-Clean. The results were positive. GA-Clean is not only safe but also cleans well."
Testing GA-Clean on AR-coated glass
The collaboration between an experienced grower and an expert chemist led to Cleantechnics, a company that provides tailor-made cleaning and disinfection solutions for the horticultural sector. Their products, including the popular Oxiline-50 and foam product FoamOrg, are the result of close interaction with growers and a commitment to continually meeting new challenges. Cleantechnics continues to grow and innovate, driven by a passion for finding effective and efficient solutions to the evolving needs of the horticultural industry.
Oxiline-50, FoamCalc and FoamOrg
For more information:
Cleantechnics 
info@cleantechnics.nl
www.cleantechnics.nl