Meet our sustainable partner: PlantLab
About PlantLab
PlantLab is a Dutch company that focuses on indoor farming. They deliver the freshest produce through their custom-built Plant Production Units (PPUs) which they develop and operate their selves. These PPUs are completely closed growing environments that create a ‘Plant Paradise’ for crops by optimizing and controlling all natural growing conditions.
Since 2010 they have been developing and operating multiple custom-built indoor farms at commercial scale worldwide and focus on delivering the freshest produce to their customers. Their approach is typified by the fact that there is no emission to ground, water or air. Tomatoes, herbs and lettuce are grown in a completely closed cell, using only seeds, water, little substrate and nutrition. As a result, crops are unaffected by the weather, molds, bacteria or insects. Pesticides and agricultural vehicles are also unnecessary.
How did we become partners?
PlantLab uses rafts from Dry Hydroponics for their cultivation on water. This company, represented by Maurice van der Knaap, recommended Limex to PlantLab. Limex and Dry Hydroponics are no strangers to each other: the two companies both have a strong focus on innovation, and on sharing knowledge. The two companies have been working together for a while. When Dry Hydroponics heard about PlantLab’s challenge, the connection with Limex was quickly established.
The rafts and crates that PlantLab uses during their production must be able to be carefully cleaned after use. For this challenge, PlantLab came to Limex with the request to develop a machine in which different types of products could be washed. Rafts, trays and crates pass through the machine. In order to provide these different types of products with an optimal washing result, we applied a specific adaptation in the machine.
Limex preferred supplier of PlantLab
The order for the machine came in at the beginning of July 2020. During the summer holidays we worked hard to have the machine ready for delivery (about 9 weeks later) in September. Amsterdam is the first location where one of our washers is installed at PlantLab. PPUs that will be built in the future may also be equipped with a Limex washer. As their preferred supplier, we will adapt the machine to the local conditions if required.
How does PlantLab experience the collaboration?
Mr. Hans van Scheijndel, Former Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of PlantLab:
“We are excited about the washing result of the Limex machine. We like to share our plans and working method with a company like Limex that is also committed to sustainability and we are looking forward to a beautiful and successful collaboration in the future!”
