Würth participated in panel on vertical farming
Alexander Gerfer, CTO of Würth Elektronik eiSos Group and Ryan Archer, Co-Founder and COO of Horizon Growers presented the latest developments in vertical farming at the DLD Conference in Munich on 17th January.
The discussion, which was moderated by FOCUS Editor-in-Chief Franziska Reich, posed the question: 'Can the CO2-neutral greenhouse feed the world?’
Gerfer, from Würth, brought with him a 'Breeding Station' for the pre-cultivation of cuttings and seedings which, under controlled light and nutrient supply, is intended to make a contribution to local and sustainable indoor farming. The station's measurement technology enables it to learn from the system and uses AI approaches.
Würth Elektronik's contribution to controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is known; as part of the development of horticulture LEDs, the company has been researching specific light recipes that control plant growth in a targeted manner for years. Precisely defined light frequencies and illumination rhythms promote faster and more effective root formation in cuttings, reduce failure rates and increase productivity in indoor farming systems. Every plant has its ideal light recipe for optimal growth.
"The import rate of tomatoes in Germany is almost identical to that of the United Arab Emirates," said Archer.
Horizon Growers was previously responsible for developing and operating one of the largest indoor farms of the Middle East in the desert state. Archer, like Würth Elektronik, advocates for consumer-oriented production in indoor farms in Germany.
Gerfer and Archer also agree on another key point: energy efficiency and synergies are essential to the successful implementation of indoor farming in Germany. The vision is for CEA farms in clusters that work with renewable energy sources and CO₂-intensive producers. The industrial companies can provide large amounts of waste heat and CO₂ emissions for plant breeding, while the CEA farms serve as CO₂ sinks. This would make a CO2-neutral greenhouse possible.
During the panel discussion, one point was raised: that a successful, consumer-oriented and sustainable food supply chain will only be possible through new partnerships, including between high-tech companies and industry and agriculture.
"For the breeding station, we are working with the fluid system specialist Bürkert," said Alexander Gerfer. "Now we are considering, together with Horizon Growers, how this system can form the basis for future net-zero greenhouses. As a responsible company, we are helping to turn ideas into reality."