‘Applying the right amount of nutrients is vital for crop growth. The difficulty the industry faces is finding out what a crop needs at any given time and then responding to this need as quickly as possible, which is why CE-Line developed a system to enable real-time analysis of nutrient levels in irrigation and drainage water. This enables growers to monitor nutrient needs much more precisely, which optimises growth. We’re delighted that Horticoop sees potential in our technology!’

‘Your technology will certainly help the horticulture industry; we’re convinced of that! Our cooperative members pointed out your measurement system to me. When a mutual acquaintance brought us together and we started investigating your technology, we immediately saw the potential. Horticoop is investing in companies that can offer solutions for industry bottlenecks and CE-Line is a perfect example of this. We want to give growers control to do what is needed for crop optimisation, and to do this at the right time and by the right amounts.’

‘Our technology achieves that optimisation. The system takes samples from the various water flows and these are analysed on the spot. It used to take a week before the grower had usable data available, after having the sample analysed in the lab. That meant you were using outdated information to manage your crops; information that only represents a snapshot. For growers it’s much more useful to stay informed of the current nutrient composition, as this enables stable nutrient dosage and timely action if things seem to be going awry. If you only get your hands on the data a week later, the harm’s already been done. Delays in obtaining data can also lead to huge fluctuations in nutrients. If there seems to be a surplus, a grower will use less nutrients, but this can also go too far and create a nutrient deficiency. These fluctuations don’t help crop growth.’

‘The delay in obtaining data is even greater in countries outside the Netherlands. Here we’re lucky that the horticulture industry has many laboratories. In other countries that’s often not the case so it takes even longer before data are available. The fact that CE-Line’s system enables us to generate and deliver data on the spot could provide considerable acceleration, especially for international growers.’

‘The response we often get from growers about our technology is: “I didn’t know that I didn’t know this”. We want to provide growers with insight into what is happening, which will ultimately enable them to grow remotely in a controlled environment.’

‘That controlled environment is an absolute necessity. Products from the sector end up in a wider chain that demands reliability. Take the tight, logistical organisation of a supermarket, for example. They want specific products of a certain quality on the shelves at a set time. As a grower, you want to be able to operate in a similar tight environment. I think that CE-Line will play an important role in this.’

‘Indeed, it’s not market demand, but market supply that’s increasingly determining the game. Growers used to produce for auction houses. Such things as the looming water shortages and a growing world population have clarified how vulnerable the chain can be. There’s a greater need for certainty and the ability to plan, which is why greenhouses numbers are increasing worldwide as this enables us to control cultivation. So the control of the chain has reversed, which is an exciting development.’

‘Data-driven control of production will become increasingly important in controlling cultivation. Soon the entire chain will be demanding this.’

Data-driven control of production will become increasingly important in controlling cultivation.

– WILCO SCHOONDERBEEK

‘Growers in other countries are also seeing the advantage of having data available more quickly. We have now installed just as many devices abroad as in the Netherlands. The desire to implement our technology is high because growers know that they can use it to prevent major errors. It’s fantastic to be able to offer this eye-opener. It sometimes results in rather frank conversations.’

‘Horticoop’s portfolio includes companies with which CE-Line can create synergy in order to offer growers even more. Some companies in the portfolio are involved in greenhouse control. It’s possible that they’ll be interested in a collaboration with you. There’s also a link with Vital Fluid, the company that makes plasma water. I see a huge number of opportunities, after all, water is one of greenhouse horticulture’s core resources.’

‘We’ve had regular contact with Horticoop parties over the past six months. We’re acting in the same market so we can really use each other’s knowledge and network. I notice that Horticoop aims to really add value to the industry instead of only obtaining financial returns. It feels like a long-term cooperation, with the future in mind.’

‘Certainly. It’s not only about financial returns – it’s also about returns in the greenhouse. I’m looking forward to the day that CE-Line becomes a permanent feature of greenhouses. That it’s not up to the grower to decide whether to use the system or not, but that it’s built-in as standard.’

‘That would, of course, be fantastic. I’d be absolutely delighted if the world’s biggest greenhouse builders were to state that our system is standard in the drawings. But it’s also a rather challenging route. The industry is facing many challenges, such as globalisation and automation. Fortunately, Horticoop has a good idea of where the sector is moving and how best to respond. We have a shared vision on that.’

‘When companies are in a start-up phase, it’s very easy to undermine concepts that are not quite there yet. While you should actually be thinking: if this succeeds it will really be worthwhile and will help the industry progress. That’s certainly the case with CE-Line!’