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New greenhouse construction standards

European greenhouse construction standards were recently adapted to Dutch construction standards. These adjusted standards have been labelled the NEN 3859 third edition and are technically equivalent to European greenhouse construction standards.

The new Dutch greenhouse construction standards make it possible to build larger, connected greenhouse structures than was previously the case. Using the new standards, safe enclosure systems for gutter lengths of more than 200 metres may be developed.

According to the new standards, a clear insight must be furnished into the application possibilities of any greenhouse. New greenhouses therefore now come with a handbook in which clients can find information on how the greenhouse may be used and which stresses have been allowed for in its design. The handbook also gives instructions for maintenance and repairs. An identification plate is affixed to the greenhouse specifying the exact load it can take.

Alkupro was ready for the new standards that came into effect on July 1 2005. We use calculation programmes developed by TNO Delft that take the new standards into account.

Hose in your crossbars

How can you easily eliminate seepage loss in a greenhouse covering? What is it that makes sure of a good damping of the glass in your covering? Alkupro now offers an innovative solution: a rubber hose in your bars.

For a small added charge, Alkupro Venlo crossbars come with a special rubber hose. When installing the cover glass you squeeze this hose together and it clamps itself around the glass.

Thanks to this discovery, growers now have less seepage in their greenhouses. The fact that the glass is fixed in place is an additional advantage. The greenhouses no longer rattle. Finally, the most important advantage is that these damping hoses reduce window breakage. Alkupro is patenting this handy discovery.

The rubber clamps around the glass, significantly reducing seepage loss.

Alkupro supplies 22 hectares of Venlo greenhouses in Arizona

Early this year, Alkupro B.V. supplied 22 hectares of Venlo greenhouses to Eurofresh Farms in Arizona. Eurofresh Farms, the largest tomato supplier in the US, now has almost 100 hectares of greenhouses at its disposal. And the end is not yet in sight, Eurofresh Farms is still expanding

After the successful delivery of 22 hectares of Venlo greenhouses early this year, Eurofresh Farms has commissioned Alkupro to supply another 22 hectares for the year ahead. Alkupro is very pleased with the new commission and the confidence that Eurofresh Farms repeatedly shows in the company.

Alkupro has done business with Eurofresh Farms before. Below a project with 88 hectares of Venlo greenhouses in Willcox, Arizona.

Detail aluminium gutter
with PVC gutter edge
See also drawing PVC gutter edge..

PVC gutter edge for aluminium gutter

Glass breakage can be reduced by keeping the amount of slack in the greenhouse covering constant. How does Alkupro achieve this? Steel gutters have had an aluminium gutter edge for years now. They place the cover windows at a fixed distance from each other. Aluminium gutters previously had no gutter edge. Until Alkupro introduced the PVC gutter edge, that is.

This system places the bars at a fixed distance from each other. The system, for which Alkupro has patent rights, makes sure of a perfect four-sided mounting of the glass, greatly reducing the risk of glass breakage and seepage in the greenhouse. An additional advantage is that the PVC gutter edge acts as a cold bridge between the glass and the gutter. Alkupro was the first to market this successful concept and supply the PVC gutter edge on all Venlo covering systems with aluminium gutters.