From high light transmission to hail protection, these are some of the reasons growers are choosing ACRYLITE®.
Originally designed for use in the commercial greenhouse industry more than 40 years ago, the technology behind ACRYLITE® acrylic multi-skinned sheet has been continually improved through ongoing research and development in cooperation with the world’s leading growers.
The result is the most advanced, state-of-the-art glazing material available today which delivers decades of performance and exceptional return on investment. Commercial growers of all crop types operating in both cold and warm climates recognize the critical role that ACRYLITE® glazing plays in the long-term success and profitability of their operations.
These are 10 reasons to choose ACRYLITE® for your greenhouse.
1. High light transmission for growth results
ACRYLITE® acrylic multi-skin sheet transmits up to 91 percent percent of photosynthetically range (PAR) into the greenhouse. The exceptional clarity of ACRYLITE® provides the most natural growing conditions and promotes vigorous and vibrant bloom color. Optimum growth response and shorter maturity time provide economic advantages that help you grow your profits.
Comparisons between a conventional double-covered greenhouse and a structure glazed with ACRYLITE® show that ACRYLITE® transmits 20 percent more light – a distinct advantage, particularly in the winter months. The ribbed design of ACRYLITE® also diffuses light over the crop canopy, eliminating harsh “hot spots” associated with growing under glass.
ACRYLITE® will retain its light transmission and clarity for decades; in fact, even after 10 years of use, acrylic glazing transmits more light than brand new polycarbonate.
All ACRYLITE® acrylic multi-skin sheets block UV light penetration. However, in applications where UV light transmission is desirable, ACRYLITE® Alltop is one of the only glazing materials available in a UVT version that transmits the full spectrum of light including ultraviolet.
ACRYLITE® acrylic will not yellow, become brittle or degrade — a promise we back with our 30-year no-yellowing guarantee — the best in the industry.
Yellowing of plastics is caused by the sun’s UV rays breaking down the glazing, but ACRYLITE® acrylic is 100 percent naturally UV-stable. Polycarbonate and other plastic covers need a UV barrier or coating to delay yellowing, but must often be replaced after a few years of installation because they have turned yellow. UV barriers are often thin and are highly prone to failure. But ACRYLITE® acrylic is composed of 100 percent naturally UV-stable molecules throughout the material that stabilizes it from the inside out and protects the entire sheet, not just its surface.
ACRYLITE® high impact acrylic doubleskin sheet is the ideal choice for replacing yellowed polycarbonate or weathered fiberglass. Ask us for our comparison kit containing samples of ACRYLITE® and polycarbonate that have been removed from greenhouses after the same number of years of use and see for yourself.
ACRYLITE® high impact acrylic is strong enough to withstand hail impact — a promise that we back with our 10-year warranty. In fact, because our proprietary polymers are ten times more impact resistant than traditional acrylics, our hail warranty is not prorated. Glass and weathered, fragile polycarbonate cannot protect your greenhouses from damaging hail. ACRYLITE® protects not only your crops from hail damage, but protects your bottom line from replacement costs.
4. Energy savings of up to 55 percent* per year
Energy is a critical cost factor for commercial greenhouse operators. In North America, growers spend an average of $1 to $2 per square foot on heating their greenhouses. With ACRYLITE® multi-skin acrylic sheet’s natural insulative qualities, you’ll save up to 55 percent* in annual energy and heating costs when compared to single glazing.
The money you save on energy costs will pay for your investment in ACRYLITE® glazing within a few years of installation. Over ACRYLITE’s® long service life of 30+ years, you will fully recover the capital cost of your building project and save hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars in heating costs.
*This figure is confirmed by the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (IMAGDLO), which established that energy savings of 24 to 55 percent can be achieved using ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet.
5. Patented anti-condensate technology, with anti-algae technology
Thanks to our No-Drip anti-condensate technology, ACRYLITE® multi-skin acrylic sheets maintain optimal transparency even in bad weather. This water-dispersing layer causes condensation to flow off as a continuous self-cleaning film, resulting in the highest possible light transmission and eliminating uncontrolled dripping that can result in crop damage and disease. Unlike coatings on other glazing products that wear off, our manufacturing technology makes the patented No-Drip feature an integral part of ACRYLITE® acrylic sheets.
The unique polymers of acrylic combined with the geometry of ACRYLITE® multi-skin sheets makes them inherently stronger than other multi-walled glazing. Thicker walls and ribs create a more rigid sheet of greater overall weight designed to provide high live-load carrying capabilities while allowing for greater span distances. ACRYLITE® meets or exceeds snow and wind requirements offering durability in extreme climates.
ACRYLITE® multi-skin acrylic sheet naturally holds heat in, reduces shadows, hot spots and burning. Not only will you require less initial capital investment in heating systems, lights and curtains, you’ll also save on costly maintenance over decades of use.
ACRYLITE® multi-skin acrylic sheet has been proven to perform consistently over decades of use in all types of climates throughout the world. ACRYLITE® acrylic’s long service life means less replacement costs when compared to inferior glazing materials that must be replaced more frequently, often after just a few years of use.
Glazing with ACRYLITE® helps contribute to a healthier environment through reduced energy use, reduced emissions, environmentally-sound manufacturing processes, certified facilities and elimination of harmful chemicals. Long product life means less old glazing going to landfill sites due to premature failure, but if it must be replaced, ACRYLITE® is recyclable for use in making consumer goods.
Upon combustion, other plastic coverings produce thick smoke and toxic gases that are harmful to people and the environment. Deterioration from UV rays changes the burning characteristics in many plastics, but thanks to ACRYLITE®’s UV stability, its characteristics do not, so in the event of fire, ACRYLITE® burns cleaner with less smoke and has no release of toxic or corrosive gases.
10. The best warranties in the industry
ACRYLITE® high impact acrylic is backed with the industry’s best warranties. Our non-prorated, full replacement 30-year non-yellowing, 10-year light transmission and 10-year hail warranties protect both your investment in ACRYLITE® and your bottom line.
For more information on ACRYLITE®, click here.
UV light transmission takes things in the greenhouse to a completely new level at Greenbelt Microgreens.
While the crop he’s built a business around may be teeny, tiny, Greenbelt Microgreens owner Ian Adamson’s big-picture thinking is yielding some pretty impressive results.
Since Ian’s first days experimenting with greenhouse-grown microgreens in 1998, Greenbelt Microgreens has become Canada’s largest producer of organic microgreens. Today, the company’s sunflower sprouts, pea shoots, wheat grass, arugula, and lettuces, which are grown in a special soil blend in greenhouses rather than hydroponically, are flying off the shelves at the country’s largest grocery chains and most discriminating organic retailers.
In 2016, in order to keep up with increasing demand, Greenbelt Microgreens shifted operations from one-acre of greenhouse space to a 3.5-acre greenhouse complex just outside of Hamilton, Ontario. Having direct experience with the benefits of growing under glass from his first greenhouse, Ian knew that replacing the new greenhouse’s cloudy double polyethylene covering was a must. A chance encounter with an ACRYLITE® representative would not just change the plan for his new greenhouse covering, it would take his crop to unexpected new heights.
When Ian first heard about the option of 16 mm ACRYLITE® Alltop high impact UV transmitting acrylic multi-skin sheet in a carefully controlled growing environment like his greenhouse he was immediately intrigued. Its advantages include:
While the initial investment in ACRYLITE® would cost more than glass, Ian and his Vice-President, Michael Curry, felt the numbers were worth a closer look. Curry, who worked in private equity prior to joining Greenbelt Microgreens, knows his way around a balance sheet. Ultimately, the pair held true to the company’s philosophy of always putting quality first and opted to invest in 160,000 square feet of 16 mm ACRYLITE® Alltop high impact UV transmitting acrylic multi-skin sheet.
Greenbelt Microgreens's crops thrive under ACRYLITE®.
Two years later when asked if he’d make the same decision again, Ian answers with an enthusiastic, “Absolutely. I would never grow again without it.”
“It’s funny, because the things that initially drew me toward ACRYLITE® were that it had these incredible warranties, that I wouldn’t have to worry about hail and that it would last significantly longer than other products. As a company that is incredibly focused on our environmental impact, we also really liked the fact that it offered improved energy efficiency. I don’t think I was really prepared for all of the other improvements that the UV light transmitting acrylic would drive in our greens. We now have all the advantages of a greenhouse environment with light conditions that truly replicate outdoor growth. It’s the best of both worlds and the results we’re seeing are amazing,” says Ian.
Ian estimates that ACRYLITE® has improved crop yields by 40% compared to growing under poly and reduced the growth cycle by 20% compared to growing under glass. The ability of ACRYLITE® Alltop high impact to allow for UV light to penetrate through the greenhouse covering has also enhanced colour, flavour and nutrient density, and it’s a difference that has buyers taking notice. Recently, a buyer that’s worked for one of Canada’s largest grocery chains for over twenty years visited the greenhouse and commented that he’d never seen such deep reds in greenhouse-grown red butter lettuce.
But UV light does more than produce rich colours and great taste. Growing certified organic crops means that spraying to protect plants from diseases in not an option for Greenbelt Microgreens. The ability of ACRYLITE® Alltop high impact to transmit UV light also helps create a stronger crop, that is more resilient against potentially devastating diseases.
With a growing base of raving fans and industry accolades that include the Province of Ontario’s Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, it’s safe to assume that Greenbelt Microgreens may be in need of additional greenhouse space in the near future. The easy retrofit process with ACRYLITE® Alltop high impact UVT is another advantage that will make it Ian’s go-to choice when it’s time to grow again, “When you’re producing a crop with a 10-day growth cycle, every second counts. Our current operation has 28 houses across 3.5 acres. Because ACRYLITE® was so easy to work with, it only took a three-man crew a week to complete each greenhouse. That’s another significant competitive advantage.”
This light-transmitting, heat-insulating and weather-resistant sheet is available with diffusion properties.
ACRYLITE® Resist high-impact acrylic is a light transmitting, heat-insulating and weather-resistant sheet made of impact modified acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA) polymer. This 16-millimeter multi-skin acrylic sheet is now available with diffusion properties, and ideal for commercial greenhouse applications where diffused light is desirable for optimized crop growth, while maintaining overall high light levels.
Here are three advantages it offers growers who add it to their operation. 1. It scatters light.
Because it scatters light, ACRYLITE® Resist high-impact acrylic offers growers a more homogeneous light distribution that penetrates deeply into the plant canopy. This wraps the plants in light and activates more photosynthesis. The result is fewer hot spots and shady spots in the greenhouse. It also means better growth, stronger plants and brighter colors. 2. It provides increased light.
Growers know that the morning and evening can be difficult for growing due to the low angle of light. But ACRYLITE® Resist high-impact acrylic allows more light into the greenhouse at those two points in the day when the plants need it the most. It also helps reduce greenhouse temperatures in the summer and thus reduces the need for shade cloth.
As with all ACRYLITE® Resist high-impact multi-skin sheets, the ACRYLITE® Resist high-impact acrylic features excellent protection against excessive amounts of UV radiation; comes with a 30-year warranty against yellowing; and is hail-resistant with a 10-year guarantee for withstanding hailstones with a kinetic energy of 1 joule. It also offers growers up to 50 percent energy savings, minimizes CO2 emissions and is treated with a nontoxic, biologically neutral anti-algae application.
Plus, on its way to greenhouses and when it is assembled, it is guaranteed to be impact resistant.
For more information on ACRYLITE®, click here.
Francisco Javier García Domínguez joins PlantResponse as director for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
MADRID (July 18, 2018) — PlantResponse is pleased to announce the new appointment of Francisco Javier (“Pancho”) García Domínguez to the role of director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, based in Madrid. The company has also promoted John Kruse to chief technology officer and Frédéric Brunner to chief science officer.
“With the addition of Francisco Javier to our company, PlantResponse is better poised for growth and strategic partnerships in these regions than ever before,” says Tom Snipes, chief executive officer for PlantResponse. “His deep knowledge of European agriculture, proven ability to identify and pursue new business opportunities, and understanding of our goals allow Francisco Javier to perfectly round out our leadership team. We look forward to the future success of our EMEA team under his leadership.”
García Domínguez spent nearly 10 years serving in commercial, technical and leadership positions with Corteva AgriScience (previously Dow AgroSciences). He holds his Master of Science in agronomic engineering and plant biotechnology from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
He will be responsible for driving business, expanding the presence of the company, and providing operational leadership in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His role will also include leading sales and customer-relationship management, tracking new markets and emerging trends, proposing and developing new strategic partnerships, and guiding long-term objectives to meet business needs. As part of the core leadership team, he will also help in setting the overall direction and strategy of the company.
Kruse, who has been PlantResponse’s director of Global Agronomy since 2017, is taking on the expanded leadership role of chief technology officer. Kruse brings almost 15 years of experience in agronomic research, both in academia and for corporate industry leaders. In his new role, Kruse will drive PlantResponse’s research and field trial programs, lead the company’s intellectual property strategy, and work with the R&D team on setting the direction for the company’s technology priorities.
Brunner joined the company in 2016 as head of research and development and has been promoted to chief science officer. Brunner has more than 20 years of experience in plant biochemistry and molecular biology. At PlantResponse, he leads research and early development projects, maximizing the performance of our Fast-Track platform at the initial stages of product development. Brunner’s new role will include oversight of PlantResponse’s academic collaboration program, directing strategic innovation efforts, and leading the research team in Madrid by guiding project priorities.
“John and Frédéric are great assets to the PlantResponse team, and we are proud to recognize their talents and contributions with these new roles,” Snipes says. “Our leadership team is incredibly strong, and we look forward to the growth, new markets and innovations they will help us realize.”
The company also donated vegetable and ornamental seeds to BLOOM! to help with education in horticulture.
Morgan Hill, CA — Sakata Seed America is delighted to pledge a contribution of $50,000 over the next two years to the Seed Your Future organization through the company’s Corporate Giving program. Sakata joins a coalition of more than 150 partners to support the Seed Your Future non-profit, including horticulture companies, gardening organizations, nonprofit organizations and universities, as a Roots of the Future level supporter.
“The Seed Your Future cause is an exciting movement for the future of the horticulture industry in creating a favorable perception of viable and diverse horticulture careers available," Jamie Kitz, key account manager for Sakata and Seed You Future advisory council manager. "With a large portion of horticulture’s jobs unfilled, inspiring and raising awareness with youth, parents and teachers to green collar career opportunities will help feed our industry’s future.”
In addition to a monetary pledge, Sakata has contributed to Seed Your Future’s first initiative, BLOOM!, via seed donations from the company’s vegetable and ornamental sectors. The BLOOM! initiative allows schools to easily integrate plants into their curriculum through books, activities and other learning materials focused around horticulture.
Susan Yoder, executive director of Seed Your Future is excited to have Sakata on board. “We are honored to have Sakata expand their already generous support of the Seed Your Future movement. Not only are they putting their philanthropic dollars behind this critical issue, they also volunteer their time and donate their products to promote horticulture and inspire more people to pursue green collar careers.”
Sakata supports the movement in an array of other outlets, such as education via the company’s social media reach, tradeshow booth and display support at events such as California Spring Trials and Cultivate and Sakata personnel support; Sakata team members serve on both the advisory council for the program, as well as the Research Development and Marketing Committee.