"We're constructing fully autonomous farms alongside manual farms across Japan and Southeast Asia. Our goal is to stay at the forefront of vertical farming innovations, which is why we have a co-research farm based in Osaka, collaborating with the local university on the most current research," says Hernan Ocampos, the Section Head of the Food Tech Department at Espec Mic Corp.
Espec Mic has been involved in horticulture and vertical farming since 1988, Espec Mic and has expanded its expertise to include climate chambers, greenhouses, vertical farms, hydroponics, nurseries, growing cabinets, and urban greening solutions.
Working closely with universities and other research institutions, Espec Mic aims to develop niche products such as its low-potassium lettuce. "We partner with companies like DHC to ensure our nutrient solutions are of the highest quality."
Hernan Ocampos pictured at Espec Mic's trial facility in Tokyo
Product diversification
How do you differentiate yourself in this market? "Our low-potassium lettuce is sold at 3 to 4 times the price of other vertical farm operators. Other vertical farms sell their produce for 150 yen per pack of 100 grams, whereas ours is sold at 500 yen per 100 grams," Hernan explains. Producing a low-potassium lettuce requires different nutrient solutions and is much of a niche. Espec Mic decided to launch his premium product for people who cannot consume vegetables as it contains too much potassium. "Sold at an added value, people are willing to pay a premium for it."
Mineraleaf, low-potassium lettuce
The full-growing envelope
The diversity of the company's completed projects can be seen in one of its milestones, the Farm&Factory Tamura in Fukushima, where they constructed an autonomous farm. "The A-Plus Tamura facility is a prime example of our know-how in automation. It features automated seeding, plug placing, transplanting, and harvesting, with a monorail system for tray handling. This farm has been operational for 3,5 years and produces up to 16,500 heads of lettuce five days per week," Hernan shares proudly.
In addition to its technological advancements, Espec Mic Corp is dedicated to addressing market needs. "We offer a range of solutions from highly automated systems to more manual setups, depending on our customers' budgets and requirements. We also provide training to ensure our clients can operate their farms efficiently," says Hernan.
The R&D facility
Interest from aquaculture
The company's innovation doesn't stay in Japan. The company is involved in projects in Southeast Asia and South America, including container farms and aquaculture ventures. "We started with container farms in 1992 and have since branched out into aquaculture and other sectors. For instance, we are exploring Chile's salmon production opportunities and have seen growing interest in Southeast Asia."
Optimistic about the future
Despite the challenges faced by the industry, including high initial costs and fluctuating market conditions, Hernan remains optimistic about the future. "Japan has experienced several waves of interest in vertical farming. While the market has been quieter recently, driven by economic stagnation and the impacts of COVID-19, we believe there will be a resurgence as the economy improves and as new technologies and applications, such as cannabis production, become viable."
Looking ahead, Espec Mic aims to keep expanding its global reach. "We are open to collaborating with international companies and exploring new markets."
For more information:
Espec Mic Corp
Hernan Ocampus, Head of the Food Tech Department
[email protected]
www.especmic.co.jp
This article series is in collaboration with:
Japan Plant Factory Association
Eri Hayashi, President
[email protected]
www.npoplantfactory.org