Reduce the temperature of greenhouses with photoselective plastics

Reduce the temperature of the greenhouses with photoselective plastics

09/10/2015

One of the main difficulties that producers in Latin America have is to control the high temperatures reached by their greenhouses, as it negatively affects the productivity of their crops. For this reason, it is already very common to see greenhouses with covers painted with different compounds, or milky plastics that block the transmission of PAR light dramatically.

But what many producers still do not know is that it is also possible to reduce the interior temperature of the greenhouse with plastics with advanced technology (photoselective plastics), capable of reducing the temperature of the interior of the greenhouses, without stopping or losing the transmission of PAR light, so important for an efficient activation of photosynthesis. This tool can be very helpful especially for producers who have their greenhouses in areas of high radiation.

The plastic for coverings of Kool Lite Plus greenhouses developed by the company Hyplast is especially designed for areas of very high radicación, for example countries like Mexico, all Central America, Chile (especially Arica), Kenya, Ethiopia, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia; They are regions with a lot of light, especially during the hot summer months.

Thus, the new formula of the Kool Lite Plus contains pearlescent pigments, specially designed to reflect / bounce the part of the solar spectrum that contains the near infrared (NIR), and at the same time maximizes the transmission of PAR PAR Light, with greater efficiency in the transmission of Red and Blue LIGHT so beneficial for the growth of the plant.

In recent years, Hyplast has developed several trials with the Kool Lite Plus; "This new formula is able to reduce the internal temperature of the greenhouse to 6,7 ° C, compared to another greenhouse with a common plastic cover", says Carlos Reátegui, sales manager of Hyplast.

In addition, he states that the greatest advantage is not only the reduction of temperature, but also that it maintains a very high transmission of PAR light; "When they apply lime or a mixture of white paint on plastics to reduce the temperature, they lose many times more than 50% of the PAR light transmission, and that without taking into account the greenhouses with double plastic cover, can you imagine the increase in productivity that would achieve with light transmissions above 85% in the VIP PAR, in those months that paint the greenhouses? "; and continues: "The Kool Lite Plus not only helps to lower the internal temperature of the greenhouse during the day, but also generates a greater diffusion of the PAR light, and this helps to transmit the PAR light efficiently in the deepest parts of the crops. which results in less stress for the plant, and a more balanced crop ".

Thus, the Kool Lite Plus is activated only during the day, when the infrared transmission is at its maximum, especially between the 11 am and 4 pm; and during the night and on cold and cloudy days, the Kool Lite Plus cover works like another cover with normal characteristics of high light transmission; this allows to have minor temperature variations between day and night.

"Producers in Mexico are already familiar with the benefits that can be achieved with the Kool Lite Plus, we already have Kool Lite Plus installed in some of the most important companies in the region"said Reátegui.

Regularly, the price of the Kool Lite Plus is higher than that of a film with normal characteristics, but according to Reátegui, the use of the Kool Lite Plus allows saving in the different expenses incurred to paint and cover the roofs of greenhouses . "The operations of painting, washing and cleaning the covers are very expensive, with the Kool Lite Plus the company can save a lot on the cost of these operations, and this is very important and must be taken into account".

The Kool Lite Plus can be manufactured with different characteristics depending on the needs of the crop, for example with anti-drip, with open UV transmission to help the productivity of beneficial insects (bumblebees) or with complete UV blocking to control the problems of pests, and with different resistance to chemical products (sulfur, chlorine, iron, etc.).

Producers who want to do a trial or learn more about the properties of Kool Lite Plus can contact Hyplast directly for more information.

Source: Freshplaza.es