Key Takeaways:
- Helle-Tech Oy and Bloemteknik™ have announced a collaboration to introduce modular adjustable LED fixtures for high wire and leafy green growers.
- The Balance Platform technology can increase PPFD on the vertical face of vine growing crops by up to 36% without additional energy consumption.
- The partnership aims to provide greenhouse growers with tools to increase productivity while optimizing costs.
- The new LED fixtures are designed to enhance PPFD, improve uniformity, reduce CAPEX, and offer a customizable, modular design.
Introduction of Collaboration
Helle-Tech Oy and Bloemteknik™ (trading as Bloem) have announced a collaborative venture aimed at revolutionizing the lighting solutions for high wire and leafy green growers. The partnership will introduce modular adjustable LED fixtures that leverage patent-pending technology, specifically designed to optimize productivity and cost-efficiency in controlled environment agriculture.
Advanced Lighting Technology
The centerpiece of this collaboration is the Balance Platform, a technology that allows growers to increase Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) on the vertical face of vine growing crops by up to 36% without increasing energy consumption. This innovative approach provides a significant boost in yield potential. James Fleet, Co-Founder of Bloem, highlighted the impact of this technology, stating, “Growers and academics agree that as a rule of thumb, a 1% increment in PPFD results in a 1% increase in yield. Today’s announcement provides greenhouse growers with the tools to increase productivity whilst optimising cost-of-ownership.”
Partnership Goals and Vision
“By combining Helle-Tech’s expertise and experience together with Bloem’s innovative engineering, the partnership aims to redefine industry standards,” said Timo Helle, Managing Director of Helle-Tech. “This strategic alliance underscores a commitment to sustainability and technological advancement, offering growers a competitive edge in the evolving landscape of controlled environment agriculture.”
Benefits of the New LED Fixtures
Enhanced PPFD and Improved Uniformity
The patent-pending adjustable light-engines are designed to increase PPFD by up to 36% on the vertical face of vine-growing plants and improve leafy green uniformity by up to 32% compared to standard manufacturer optics. This enhancement in light distribution ensures better growth and higher yields.
Reduced Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)
The innovative design of the adjustable light-engines allows for fewer fixtures to be used compared to standard manufacturer models, significantly lowering capital expenditure. This cost reduction is a crucial advantage for growers looking to optimize their investments.
Modular Design
The modular configuration of the LED fixtures enables customization according to the individual grower’s needs or preferences. Interchangeable modules allow growers to future-proof their investment by changing the spectra and/or upgrading to the latest LED chip efficiencies without replacing the entire fixture. This flexibility ensures that the lighting solutions can adapt to technological advancements and changing agricultural practices.
