New green powered solution to heat treat moisture retainers for seedlings in vertical farms

In light of predicted food shortages, extreme weather conditions and reduced availability of agricultural land, vertical farming is expected to grow in Europe by 22% annually. Technology and process innovations are imperative to ensure that these growth levels are not only sustainable in terms of volume, but that the produce is 100% safe for human consumption.

With vertical farming growing media providing the perfect breeding ground for pathogens including E-Coli, Salmonella and Listeria, we have been working closely with Revtech of France to develop a heat treatment solution for the processing of materials including Coir and Mycelium, that are used as moisture retainers for the seedlings.

Revtech’s high performance technology revolves around an innovative concept of continuous heat treatment. Based on a combination of electrical heat generation and vibrational transport techniques in a closed stainless-steel spiral, all risk of fire is removed, and post-treatment cleaning is easy. To reinforce the sustainability objectives of vertical farming, Revtech’s technology is fully electrically powered, ensuring it can run solely on renewable sources, unlike traditional fossil fuel alternatives.

This innovative solution sees the chosen growing media being indirectly pre-heated in a controlled environment, prior to the use of a steam flush to achieve the wet kill. Condensation is carefully controlled to ensure there is no regrowth of micro-organisms and the treated material can be delivered directly for use or stored in a clean environment in sacks or bulk bags after cooling.

Managing capacities from 200-2,000 kgs/hr the system is independently validated to 6 log reduction with destruction of pathogenic micro-organisms and other contaminates such as yeasts and mould, fly or beetle larvae and seeds from other plant species.

From salad leaves to soft fruit and vegetables, vertical farming is the perfect solution to the food crisis and increasing consumer demand for ‘all year round’ fresh produce with a low carbon footprint. Chris Holland, Managing Director of Holmach said of the application “With the rising demand for vertical farming and our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability, it’s been a pleasure to work with the team at Revtech to develop an application solution that will have a huge impact on the UK’s fresh produce industry for years to come.”

For thermal processing expertise and further information on Revtech’s market leading technology, call us on 01780 749097 or email info@holmach.co.uk.