Winner HORTI FAIR INNOVATION AWARD

As usual, innovative products with a chance of winning the award have been shortlisted by the jury prior to the fair in all exhibition categories, i.e. technology, production, supply and trade/services. The four category winners and the overall winner will be decided by the international trade jury on Tuesday 9 October. This consists of G. Kok (jury chairman and Commercial Affairs unit manager, FloraHolland), J. van Buren (Manager greenhouse horticulture, DLV Plant BV), H. Dressler (Gb Das Magazin für Zierpflanzenbau, Germany),

P. Fayolle (Lien Horticole, France), C. van de Kaay (vegetable grower), F. Kempkes (technology researcher at Wageningen UR Glastuinbouw, Greenhouse Technology Department), E. Moor (pot plant grower), S. Vale (Commercial Greenhouse Grower, Great Britain) and J. Water (Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality). The broad, international composition of the jury is the best guarantee of a balanced assessment of the hundreds of innovations at the Horti Fair 2007. A special jury is being constituted for the production category in view of the large number of entries for this category.  

Jury findings

According to jury chairman Gijs Kok there is greater emphasis this year on the development and refining of previous innovations. ‘This is logical,’ he says, ‘because more and more high quality technologies are being used in the development, production and marketing of horticultural crops. We are therefore seeing the establishment of more and more joint ventures, partly due to the enormous investments that are sometimes necessary. And at the same time there are sometimes very practical and seemingly very obvious innovations.’

The jury has also observed another important trend this year, namely the continuing development of the crop growing concept of the semi-closed greenhouse, which won the Innovation Award in 2003. Examples of companies that have elaborated on this concept are ITB Boxmeer with its ITB Cool System, KUBO Greenhouse Projects with its Ultra Clima, Priva with its Climate Optimizer and Wilk van der Sande with the JSK. As the jury notes, ‘Climate control is becoming an ever more important factor in the new greenhouse concepts. As much of the innovation and improvement of components we see in many areas of these complex control techniques and technologies is based on previous advances, a shortlisting in that exhibition category would be a step too far.’

Technical progress actually on display

The number of shortlisted exhibits (19) is practically the same as in 2006 and 2005, when 18 new products and services were shortlisted. Gijs Kok comments, ‘It seems as though companies are selecting and placing new products and services in the market with ever greater care. And the technical progress is often too complex to explain in words. But all becomes clear when they are seen actually functioning, as at the Horti Fair.’

Trade/Services Category (2)

Bin International B.V. (Stand 02.0101)

tel: +31 15 7890203

contact: Dalibor Borjanin, e-mail: [email protected]

---sales --- florist supplies --- packaging

FlowerBagVase

The FlowerBagVase is an attractive flower bag that also doubles as a decorative vase. Thanks to the two handy carrier cords, the filled FlowerBagVase is easy to carry.

Jury: 'An example of the continued development of a product: it’s seemingly obvious but still innovative.’

Grow Technology B.V. (Stand 03.0417)

tel: +31 416 316779

contact: Hans Hein, e-mail: [email protected]

----services --- machines & equipment ---- other

Seedanalyzer

The ‘Seedanalyzer’ is a sturdy and compact instrument that measures the maturity of seeds based on chlorophyll fluorescence. This result can be used to determine the optimal moment for harvesting. This gives a higher yield for all companies involved in seed selection and seed production.

Jury: ‘It is perhaps too ambitious to claim that it can be applied to all crop categories, but it is no less interesting for all that.’

Technology Category: (8)

P.L.J. Bom Group (Stand 01.0339)

tel: +31 174 629441

contact: Martin van Zeijl, e-mail: [email protected]

---------------greenhouse construction and fitting out ----

Twinlight® construction

The new norm for high greenhouses: the sky’s the limit! Because of the new design of the steel construction greenhouses, post heights of 9 to10 metres are possible.

Hoogendoorn Automatisering B.V. (Stand 04.0102)

tel: +31 104608080

contact: Jan Voogt, e-mail: [email protected]

-----------------climate control-----------------

Stomata monitoring

Gives growers an instrument that provides them with information about the plant's behaviour under different climatological conditions in the greenhouse, including stress situations.

Jury: ‘The challenge is to translate this instrument into specific cultivation measures. From this perspective it is promising.’

Logiqs Agro B.V. (Stand 01.0316)

tel: +31 174 526501

contact: M.M. van Staalduinen, e-mail: [email protected]

-----automation / ICT-------internal logistics / material handling-------------

Logiqs Agro Fully automatic chrysanthemum cultivation from cutting to harvest

Rootless cuttings are pushed into the growing gutters, which pass through the different departments fully automatically and are also harvested automatically. The whole system operates in combination with the smart ICT control technology.

Jury: ‘Innovative above all because it boosts productivity, lightens the workload and produces a labour saving.’

Olij Rozen B.V. / Tri-O-Gen BV  (Stand 07.1207)

tel: +31 297 382929 / +31 547-286374

contact: Peter Schrama, e-mail: [email protected] / Arijan Sauer, e-mail: [email protected]

------other-----

Tri-O-Gen ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle)

The Organic Rankine Cycle is a new technique for the glasshouse industry which can generate electricity from surplus heat in combination with CHP. 

Jury: ‘As a new application in horticulture this product offers interesting ways of improving yield and using energy more efficiently.’

Priva B.V. (Stand 04.0212)

tel: +31 174 522600

contact: Jan Hugo Nuijt, e-mail: [email protected]

----------------other-

Aquacultura

Crops are grown and fish farmed within a single greenhouse with a closed cultivation system. The nutrient-rich water for the fish is used as feeding water for the vegetables. The heat of the greenhouse in turn brings the water for the fish to the right temperature.

Jury: ‘Yields are improved in an environmentally friendly way, making double use of space and water and spreading the economic risk.’

Wilgengroep bv (Stand 01.0337)

tel: +31 184 600233

contact: Mark Fikkers, e-mail: [email protected]

--automation / ICT--internal logistics / material handlin--machines & equipment---tracking & tracing--

Flower Collecting System

This system makes it possible to store harvested cut flowers in a warehouse and to transport and process them fully automatically. The transport system is compatible with all types of sorting-bunching processes.  

Jury: ‘Helps to improve quality and save labour. Also shortlisted in order to reward the cooperation between those involved in developing it.’

Frans van Zaal Totaal Techniek (Stand 01.0410)

tel: +31 297 344344

contact: Yvonne Janmaat, e-mail: [email protected]

-------greenhouse construction and fitting out --- climate control---machines & equipment-------------

Electric boiler

The electric boiler works only when there is a surplus of electricity on the grid. This system is mainly suitable for greenhouses that produce a substantial part of their heat requirement with gas-fuelled boilers and do not need a high light intensity.

Jury: ‘An economically well-conceived innovation, albeit of interest only to a limited part of the market’

Frans van Zaal Totaal Techniek (Stand 01.0410)

tel: +31 297 344344

contact: Yvonne Janmaat, e-mail: [email protected]

--------internal logistics / material handling-greenhouse construction-climate control-cooling-machines & equipment-------------

Select Teeltconcept® - Multi-layer cultivation

A 2-storey greenhouse, the upper storey of which is lit during the day. The lower storey has three layers of containers and is illuminated at night. Exchange of air and hence energy and humidity is possible between the lower and upper storeys through ventilators, but no exchange of light is possible.    

Jury: ‘Already suitable for growing young plants, but may possibly be capable of broader application, in which case it will be very interesting.’

Supplies category (5)

BVB Substrates (Stand 10.0106)

tel: +31 174 535455

contact: Guido Linders, e-mail: [email protected]

------------- compost, fertilisers & substrates-----------

FMTM concept (made-to-measure fertiliser)

BVB is the world's only producer of made-to-measure fertiliser; a smart process control system enables the company to produce substrates to the exact specifications and wishes of the grower and suitable for the particular crop; also the first to comply with the EN volume standard.

Jury:  ‘A distinctive product, as potting compost can be delivered to the customer’s exact specification.’

Horticoop u.a. (Stand 01.0434)

tel: +31 105241600

contact: Peter Tas, e-mail: [email protected]

--------compost, fertilisers & substrates----------

HC mix

Addition of the HC Mix to bark ensures optimum growth of the plant, particularly the vegetative growth, and produces a better root system.

Jury: ‘Speeds up growth mainly in the first few months of the cultivation stage and thus produces a cost saving.’ 

Iso Groep Machinebouw B.V. (Stand 07.1203)

tel: +31 418 552735

contact: Piet Oomen, e-mail: [email protected]

---------------------machines & equipment-------------

Alfa, automatic processor of CC containers

ISO Group introduces the first machine to end the stacking and unstacking of shelves by hand. An additional advantage is the ease of maintenance.

Jury: ‘Although it involves a very large capital outlay, this machine makes heavy and difficult work unnecessary and also saves space and improves efficiency.'

Koppert Biological Systems (Stand 09.0101)

tel: +31 105140444

contact: Yvette van Markus, e-mail: [email protected] / Mr M. Huurman

-----------crop protection ------------------

Enzicur

Enzicur is a new and patented natural fungicide against mildew with a powerful curative effect. Mildew cannot develop resistance to Enzicur. Enzicur is safe for humans, the environment, pollinators and most natural enemies, and consequently Enzicur is ideally suited to integrated crop applications.

Jury: ,,‘Possibly a breakthrough in the biological combatting of recurrent mildew attacks!’ 

Visser International Trade & Engineering B.V. (Stand 11.0410)

tel: +31 786 739800

contact: Hans Preesman, e-mail: [email protected]

-------internal logistics / material handling---------machines & equipment-----

Visser Dynamic Buffer System

This new, patented fully automatic buffer and shipping system for potted plants has unparalleled flexibility as different sizes of pots can be processed simultaneously and in random order.

Jury: ‘An innovative product on account of the application of ICT and logistics, plus extra options such as labelling, mixing and sleeving.’

Production category (New plants) (4)

Rijnplant (Stand 08.0110)

tel: +31 174 445 695

contact: Michel van Rijn/ Marie-Anne Haaring, e-mail: [email protected]

Anthurium Black Queen ('Rijn200449')

The first black flower is now available. Strong flower, beautiful structure, long vase life.  Ideal for use in bouquets and flower arrangements, even in very exclusive ones

Jury: ‘The flower is indeed almost jet black and is suitable for use as a cut flower or indoor plant.’

Hilverda Plant Technology B.V. (stand 07.1010)

tel: +31 297 239020

contact: Mrs C. Feith, e-mail: [email protected]

Dianthus barbatus Green Trick 'temarisou'

Striking flower shape (Dianthus barbatus). Excellent vase life.

Jury: ‘A very attractive new product owing to the green colour and different shape.’

Pot plants

Deroose Plants NV (stand 08.0112)

tel: +32 9 357 74 47

contact: Véronique De Coninck, e-mail: [email protected]

Vriesea 'Paragon' V5953

Vriesea 'Paragon' has a special dark purple and yellow colour. The tall stem has 5 to 7 branches.

Jury: ‘A good addition to the range because of its special colouring.’

Garden plants

Plant Marketing International Ltd (stand 08.0732)

tel: +44 1243 573985

contact: Andrew C Brown, e-mail: [email protected]

Cordyline australis 'Candy Cane'

This new variety has striking orange, pink and green foliage which grows widthways. Strong growing plant with good weather resistance.

Jury: ‘Winter hardness is a real advantage, just as its three-coloured leaf.’

Opening days and times, route, transport and guaranteed parking

The Horti Fair is open from 10.00 to 19.00 hours every day from Tuesday 9 to Friday 12 October. Visits with a business invitation are free. Pre-registration at www.hortifair.nl offers the advantages of fast-track entry to the exhibition and a personal badge.

Look at www.hortifair.nl, route&hotels for the fastest route and guaranteed parking. If you buy a preferred parking ticket at www.hortifair.nl/parking no later than 5 working days before your planned visit, you are assured of a parking space in one of the covered car parks at the Amsterdam RAI for € 20.00 a day! You can also park in one of the satellite car parks for a daily charge of € 13.00. These are signposted on all access roads to the Amsterdam RAI and there are fast shuttles (included in the price) that will then take you to the Horti Fair.

Special Horti Fair shuttles from the FloraHolland locations, the Vlugtenburg car park in

's-Gravenzande (€ 5.00 single journey) or the Aalsmeer Flower Auction (€ 5.00 return) will take you to the Horti Fair in the company of your colleagues! Or take a train from a nearby NS station or along the route, because the Amsterdam RAI is only 300 metres away from the NS Station RAI, which has excellent connections to major stations.