Ruud van Schie has been growing vine tomatoes and peppers with fully organic methods since 1997. The total site is 57,000 m2 in size, split across two locations. Ruud van Schie places the main focus on the plant. Tomatoes and peppers are sold under the Greenshield brand. In the organic vegetable growing sector, gas consumption and related CO2 emissions have to go down, not just because of the cost, but also as consumers expect the organic sector to fly the flag for sustainability.

RESEARCH – Ruud van Schie therefore researched the possibilities to save energy and increase yield at the same time, with as low an investment as possible. Van Schie has a test greenhouse, the bio-optimised greenhouse, 1.100 m2 in size, on his site. This has been used to test the Aircokas concept since 2004. In 2006, trials were started in co-operation with Wageningen UR Glastuinbouw, Hoogendoorn Growth Management and Wilk van der Sande, to be able to undertake a quantitative assessment of the system.

TRIAL CONDITIONS – The bio-optimised greenhouse has a surface area of 1,100 m2 and a post height of five meters. There are four air treatment units in the house suspended above the plants, which can produce both heat and cold. The Hoogendoorn Aircomatic software controls heat supply and discharge. There is also a high-pressure misting pipe fixed above the plants for additional cooling. There is a double screen in the greenhouse.

NEW BUILDING – Ruud van Schie built a new greenhouse in the autumn of 2006, almost 3 hectares in size. All elements of the Aircokas principle were included in this greenhouse, and the tomato grower will also integrate a number of Aircokas aspects into his existing greenhouses.