Key Takeaways
- Dutch Indoor Agriculture Leader Collaboration: Plantlab collaborates with Saudi Greenhouses to establish indoor farms across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
- Strategic Development in Riyadh: The initial facility opens in Q1 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy.
- Significant Investment and Job Creation: An investment of €250-300 million will establish at least ten indoor farms in 3-5 years, creating numerous jobs.
- Sustainable Farming Practices: Plantlab’s technology requires 95% less water and eliminates the need for fungicides or pesticides, promoting environmental sustainability.
- Enhancement of Food Security: The partnership aims to improve food security in the MENA region by growing crops locally, even in barren or urban areas.
Strategic Collaboration and Investment
In a landmark announcement, Plantlab, a frontrunner in indoor agriculture based in the Netherlands, has partnered with Saudi Greenhouses to roll out a series of indoor farms throughout the Middle East and North Africa. This collaboration marks a significant step towards agricultural innovation and sustainability in the region. The inaugural project, set to commence operations in the first quarter of 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is not only expected to generate numerous employment opportunities but also plays a crucial role in supporting Saudi Vision 2030. This strategic framework aims to diversify the Saudi economy beyond its traditional oil dependency. With a robust investment of €250 to €300 million, the initiative targets the establishment of a minimum of ten indoor farms over the next three to five years, promising to boost job creation significantly.
Technological Innovation and Sustainability
Plantlab’s pioneering indoor farming technology is designed to optimize crop growth by meticulously controlling environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and light. This method significantly reduces the need for water by 95% and eliminates the dependence on fungicides or pesticides, showcasing a leap towards more sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices. The Riyadh facility, situated adjacent to the Saudi Greenhouses greenhouse complex, will focus on producing a variety of leafy greens for local consumption, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint. The adaptability of Plantlab’s production sites allows for their establishment in diverse locations, from barren soils to urban landscapes, thus revolutionizing the concept of farming within global agriculture.
Boosting Food Security and Local Employment
Eelco Ockers, CEO of Plantlab, emphasized the collaboration’s potential to substantially enhance food security in the MENA region. Additionally, Jawid Bunyadi, BD Director of Plantlab Middle East, highlighted the project’s goal of cultivating fresh food locally. This partnership signifies a profound commitment to developing the food and agricultural sector in the region, promoting local employment, and improving access to fresh produce. The inauguration of the first Plantlab facility in Riyadh in 2024 introduces innovative indoor farming technology to the region, paving the way for a more sustainable and self-sufficient future in food production.
Plantlab Latest News
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Patent for Indoor Farming Reaffirmed (2022/09/28)
PlantLab’s patent for indoor farming, which applies to the control of crops’ evaporation and leaf temperature, was declared invalid in November 2021 but has now been reinstated in 75 countries, including the US. The company sees this technology as a critical link towards improving food production and wishes to make it available to as many parties as possible. Interested parties can contact PlantLab for more information.
Appoints Douwe Snel as New CFO (2022/09/05)
PlantLab has appointed Douwe Snel as their new CFO. Snel brings vast experience from various positions at Jumbo Supermarkets and EMTÉ Supermarkets. CEO Eelco Ockers explains that Snel’s international experience and expertise in corporate finance will be invaluable for further growth inside and outside the Netherlands. PlantLab is a leading research center for vertical farming based in Den Bosch, with commercial production locations in Amsterdam, Indianapolis, the Bahamas, and Curaçao. New facilities are also planned for the upcoming months.
PlantLab New Lease in Pompano Beach, Florida (2022/09/05)
Avison Young’s Tom Viscount facilitated a 50,570-square-foot new-to-market industrial lease on behalf of PlantLab as reported by the American Journal of Transportation, at the new Bridge Point Powerline Road distribution park at 1981 N. Powerline Road in Pompano Beach, Florida. The lease represents the Amsterdam, Netherlands-based company’s second U.S. location – it’s the first on the east coast – and brings the 521,560-square-foot Bridge development to 100% leased.
Image provided by Plantlab
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