Colruyt Group is proud to announce the launch of the CoolGrow® VF light, a groundbreaking vertical farming light developed in co-creation with MechaTronix, one of the biggest LED grow light producers in the European Union. A vertical farming installation with the new CoolGrow® VF light is up to 38% more energy efficient than a classical vertical farming installation.
Developing a brand-new lighting concept was an important factor in making an energy efficient vertical farm that could succeed. Following market research, none of the existing solutions turned out to meet the high demands in terms of controls and energy efficiency. An LED light was needed with high intensity and extremely low energy use.
Koen Vangorp, CEO of MechaTronix said “By combining the new LED light with an environment of highly reflective material, the energy input is reduced by 38%.
The light is installed upside down, illuminating the ceiling instead of the plants directly. By using a reflector that spreads the light all over the ceiling and side walls, both the ceiling and the walls become a source of light for the plants. The light is 100% diffuse, so the entire plant actively participates in photosynthesis, which leads directly to higher production and a shorter time to full growth for the crop.
Using advanced LED technology and the unique lighting concept, the grow light provides optimal growing conditions for crops in vertical farms, at the lowest energy cost possible. Thanks to the CoolGrow® VF light, vertical farms can grow high-quality plants year-round with a minimal ecological impact and, above all, a proven economical model, even within the European market. What’s more, one fixture can illuminate up to 5 m² at a low height, which also makes the CoolGrow® VF the answer to lower investments.”
The technology, as well as the optics, has been patented worldwide.
The CoolGrow® VF light is the result of successful and close cooperation between Colruyt Group Smart Technics (Colruyt’s Group innovation branch), MechaTronix, KU Leuven’s Light & Lighting Laboratory, and Achilles Design. Development of the light took place with support of Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).
This new, unique partnership combines the expertise that Colruyt Group has developed in recent years in terms of vertical farming, with MechaTronix’ technological leadership when it comes to LED lighting in horticulture.
Colruyt Group and MechaTronix aim to commercialize the CoolGrow® VF light in the international market, in order to contribute to the further development of vertical farming. With this groundbreaking technology, both companies are taking an important step toward sustainable and futureproof food production.