Advanced Greenhouse Poly Reduces Temperature Without Losing Light
In order to reduce the high temperatures in greenhouses, chalk and shading paints can be applied. But what many growers do not know is that it is also possible to reduce the temperature inside the greenhouse with advanced polyfilms that reduce the temperature inside without influencing the light levels. This can be of interest for growers in areas with too much light.
Hyplast's new KoolLite+ greenhouse poly is specially designed for protected cropping in countries like Mexico, Kenia, Ethiopia, Vietnam and Saudie Arabia; regions with a lot of light during the warm hot summers. The greenhouse film contains a new type of pearlescent pigment (small pieces of metal) that have especially been designed to reflect solar heat near infra red (NIR), in combination with an improved light transmission (PAR).
Over the past years, Hyplast has ran several trials with the KoolLite+. "This new film is able to reduce the temperature inside a greenhouse with 6-7 °C compared to a regular not cooling reference film", said Tom de Smedt of Hyplast. He affirms that the biggest advantage of the film compared to shading nets or chalking, is the fact that the film still allows maximum light transmission inside the greenhouse. "KoolLite+ gives not only a lower temperature during the day, but also a better light diffusion inside the crop which also results in less stress and a better balanced crop. The crop will also develop more balanced with better quality and higher yields in return."
During the night and on cool and cloudy days the temperature in a greenhouse with a KoolLite+ cover is equal to a normal greenhouse film.
"Growers in Mexico are familiar with the results that can be achieved with the film, they have now installed the film on a large scale", said De Smedt. "Also growers in Saudi Arabia are now running trials. According to De Smedt, the reason that not many growers are using it that much, is because of the fact that not many growers are familiar with it.
The price of the KoolLite+ film is higher than a standard film, but according to De Smedt, the film also allows to save costs on other supplies like greenhouse coatings. "Chalking and cleaning are costly operations. It depends on the labour cost per country if a KoolLite+ film can contribute to less labour costs."
KoolLite+ is also available with extra options like Anti-dripping, UV-open, Sulfur resistance (SR), different light stabilisers or UV Blocking.
GGS is an authorized distributor for Hyplast. Contact GGS for all your greenhouse poly.
