"Our primary goal is to use intelligent lighting systems to optimize crop performance while reducing energy consumption," Cindy Jouvenaar, the Marketing Manager for REDHorticulture, explains.
The origins of RED Horticulture can be traced back to the idea of using light to grow plants, a concept conceived by Yassine El Qomri, the company's founder. In the early stages, Yassine, with his business partner Louis Golaz, explored the idea of improving greenhouse environments. "We were surprised to find that while most greenhouse operations were automated and driven by data, the lighting was still lagging," Cindy says. "That's when our founders realized the potential of smart lighting for plant cultivation."
RED Horticulture launched its first smart LED lighting solution in collaboration with AI and data experts. "In those early days, AI was still in its infancy," she laughs. "But through rigorous testing at various locations, they developed a lighting system that could be controlled by artificial intelligence." The company's breakthrough was the development of smart LED lights that could be adjusted for different plant growth stages, ultimately leading to improved yields.
Following with a global presence
From its first paying customer in France in 2018, Red Horticulture has grown to establish several key locations, including its technical headquarters in Lyon and a research center in Nantes, which focuses on photobiology and agronomy. "The team in Nantes works not only on the science of plant growth but also on developing tailored light recipes based on extensive research," Cindy elaborates. "It's truly a full-service solution—combining light, smart technology systems, and agronomic expertise." These three points form the triangular pillars of the company's mission.
Their intuitive MyRED™ app
MyRED™ is the next generation in smart LED control. "It is designed to be more user-friendly than its predecessor, Solstice," says Thierry Mentieres, Business Manager France at RED Horticulture. It offers advanced features that will help growers achieve their cultivation goals more effectively by enhancing crop control, energy efficiency, and overall growth performance."
At its core, MyRED™ is an intelligent software application that seamlessly controls the four adjustable wavelengths of the energy-efficient RED T lighting fixtures, including far-red.
The platform's calendar feature simplifies planning and helps reduce energy costs. The app maintains high-quality results by providing insights on humidity, Co2, natural light intensity, temperature, etc. all supported by advanced AI-driven live data and forecasting of weather and other environmental factors.
"One of the important highlights of MyRED™ is its energy management feature, which allows growers to allocate energy efficiently across lighting zones, either independently or in combination with a climate computer," Cindy adds. This functionality ensures optimal energy use while enhancing operational efficiency.
"We're excited to offer this solution," Cindy notes, "as it empowers growers to make more informed decisions that will help them achieve better crop outcomes, reduce energy consumption, and enhance their overall efficiency."
Smart dimming as the next phase
"Our Smart Dimming feature optimizes artificial lighting in greenhouses by dynamically adjusting the spectrum based on real-time sunlight intensity," Cindy explains. "Smart dimming allows our RED T LED lights to adjust in real-time based on environmental data such as temperature, humidity, and light intensity," Cindy explains.
This new technology builds on over 130 crop lighting strategies and energy consumption monitoring, evolving from previous systems by introducing real-time, dynamic LED optimization. "With this brand-new functionality, we provide growers unparalleled control over energy consumption and crop development," Thierry explains. Unlike traditional on/off systems, Smart Dimming continuously adapts to natural lighting conditions, ensuring the right spectrum is always in place and maximizing energy efficiency.
"By optimizing power use and transferring it to the most efficient LED colors, Smart Dimming enhances photosynthesis while maintaining crop balance," Thierry says. The system's dynamic adjustment begins when sunlight reaches a specific intensity, progressively shifting power to red LEDs, optimizing energy efficiency as sunlight increases.
"Integrated into the MyRED app, Smart Dimming ensures seamless communication with light fixtures, offering global applicability for growers across diverse climates and horticultural sectors," Cindy adds.
Seamless integration with your climate computer
Cindy explains that the lighting solution can also be connected to various climate computers, with RED capable of following the Horti Lighting Protocol (HLP) for this integration - a protocol that facilitates seamless communication between the LED lighting and the climate computer.
As part of its ongoing efforts to improve its products, the company works closely with growers and agricultural researchers. "Our research center in Nantes (PARC by RED Horticulture) does extensive work on understanding the effects of different light spectra on plant growth," she explains. We conduct experiments to determine how specific wavelengths can affect various plant parts, such as leaves, roots, and stems."
Customized light recipes
This research enables RED Horticulture to provide customized lighting solutions for different crops, ranging from high-wire cucumbers to berries, tomatoes, and even flowers. "Our light recipes are tailored to the specific needs of the crop, depending on factors like the type of greenhouse and the climate," Cindy shares. "Whether it's an advanced high-tech greenhouse or a simpler foil greenhouse, we can optimize the lighting system to meet the needs of the grower."
"The Netherlands is a key market for us, as it is considered the heart of horticulture in Europe," she states. "But we're also exploring North America, including Canada, to see how our solutions can benefit growers there. The goal is to continue building relationships and expanding our presence globally."
For more information:
RED Horticulture
horticulture.red/