Belgian greenhouse textile manufacturer Phormium is in the final stages of developing a new energy screen, with production already underway at its facilities. Peter Ollevier and Els De Martelaer are closely monitoring the looms in the production halls where the new screen is being woven. Full details are expected to be released within weeks.
"We expect this product to make a strong impression in northern countries, particularly in vegetable cultivation. With the new energy screen, we can help many growers make a real difference," the company says.
The new screen has been developed using a proprietary weaving technique created by Phormium's in-house research team.
© Arlette Sijmonsma | MMJDaily.comPeter Ollevier and Els De Martelaer at the new Phormium loom
Development of the energy screen
Because Phormium extrudes its own raw materials, adds auxiliary agents, and handles production internally, the company has considerable freedom to develop new techniques and products. Combined with more than 100 years of accumulated knowledge in textiles and protected horticulture, as well as an in-house research and quality laboratory where product properties are tested across all parameters, this gives the company's product developers and researchers broad scope for innovation.
The result is the new energy screen, which Phormium has submitted for patent protection.
New loom and new weaving pattern
The specific weave pattern and choice of materials required the development of a dedicated loom. Given the company's confidence in the product and the results of trials conducted over recent years, production is being scaled up with the addition of multiple new looms.
Details of the screen's specifications remain under wraps for now. "We can already share that the screen has been tested at scale by a number of tomato growers, and that we expect their experiences, along with measurement results from Wageningen, to resonate strongly, particularly in northern countries," the company states. "We are pleased to be launching this product at a time when it can help growers get the maximum out of their cultivation and save as much energy as possible."
For more information:
Phormium
[email protected]
www.phormium.com
