With the Kroptek team recently back from a successful GreenTech 2022 in Amsterdam we take a look at our experience of this year’s event and how it matched up with our expectations.
GreenTech as always provided the perfect opportunity to catch up with some of our existing clients and partners, spend time with new clients discussing how our LED light solutions can help them in their ongoing projects and get a closer look at the state of the industry and the direction it is headed.
GreenTech 2022: Our Key Takeaways
Following from last year we anticipated there to be a strong focus on the scalability of CEA specifically larger and more efficient indoor and glasshouse farming; the importance of data, AI, and robotics in defining the future of smart farming systems; the status of different light spectra relative to different crops and growth stages; and the sustainable credentials of CEA and how horticulture can impact the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Rise of AI and Autonomous Farming Technologies
With the winners of this year’s Concept Award going to Organifarms’ strawberry harvesting robot BERRY, it was clear that our prediction regarding the role of robotics was well founded. The halls were filled with examples of how robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) can advance the industry. From flagship robots to smart climate controls for horticulture, technological advancements in the industry are sure to define the industry and GreenTech Events in the years to come.
The Evolution of Vertical Farming Technology
Amongst the many topics covered another thing that stood out were conversations about collaboration and integration. With so many stakeholders in the vertical farming industry present, sharing technical knowledge and enabling collaborations to create the best solutions for customers was a key talking point.
Additionally, we counted over thirty exhibitors in the LED lighting industry alone. With so many like-minded companies we expect that next year there will be a big emphasis on how similar companies can distinguish themselves. We left confident in the impression that our distinctive grower-focused approach to horticultural solutions presented a noticeable contrast from the commercial focus of many other exhibitors.
The Need to Decarbonise Food Production
According to The Association for Vertical Farming, on average food travels 3000km from the farm to your plate. Given the current energy crisis and the climate crisis, the need to decarbonise the food production industry and how horticultural technology companies like ours can contribute to this effort played a shaping role in this year’s event.
Kroptek continues to support indoor farms with the technology and know-how to run their operations profitably and efficiently. From encouraging glasshouse growers to transition from HPS to cost and energy-efficient LED lighting solutions with free light planning consultations. As well as providing expert advice on CEA solutions focused on energy efficiency and cost management we also continue to run R&D projects aimed at developing scalable net-zero farming projects.