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Opening new research greenhouses Proefcentrum Hoogstraten 2025, Hoogstraten, Belgium

Hans Vanderhallen, Peter Leenaerts, Frank Boeren and Tom Van Delm welcomed guests at the opening of the new greenhouses at Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, on 29 March 2025
Hans Vanderhallen, Peter Leenaerts, Frank Boeren and Tom Van Delm welcomed guests at the opening of the new greenhouses at Proefcentrum Hoogstraten, on 29 March 2025
The new spacious corridor also had space for invited guests
The new spacious corridor also had space for invited guests
Invitees from the horticulture, supply and fresh produce industry
Invitees from the horticulture, supply and fresh produce industry
Hans Vanderhallen spoke that the innovative power of horticulture in the region is the result of vision and cooperation, with a foundation carried by growers through the cooperative/auction, research, and horticultural school.
Hans Vanderhallen spoke that the innovative power of horticulture in the region is the result of vision and cooperation, with a foundation carried by growers through the cooperative/auction, research, and horticultural school.
Tom Van Delm explained that the Pilot Centre is central to translating science into practice, which is key to sustainable progress
Tom Van Delm explained that the Pilot Centre is central to translating science into practice, which is key to sustainable progress
Jinnih Beels: "The ability to reinvent yourself is crucial."
Jinnih Beels: "The ability to reinvent yourself is crucial."
After a short wait, minister Jo Brouns also arrived
After a short wait, minister Jo Brouns also arrived
Congratulations from minister Jo Brouns
Congratulations from minister Jo Brouns
Jo Brouns
Jo Brouns
And of course celebration with strawberries! Hans Vanderhallen, Tom Van Delm, Jinnih Beels and Jo Brouns
And of course celebration with strawberries! Hans Vanderhallen, Tom Van Delm, Jinnih Beels and Jo Brouns
Ribbon cut! 
Ribbon cut! 
Tour of the pilot centre: one of the filter units to allow recirculation of the water
Tour of the pilot centre: one of the filter units to allow recirculation of the water
Roel Vandenbruggen gives an inside look at the Trial Centre: the water technology room.
Roel Vandenbruggen gives an inside look at the Trial Centre: the water technology room.
Roel Vandenbruggen revealed more details about the water technology room and fertiliser use
Roel Vandenbruggen revealed more details about the water technology room and fertiliser use
One of eight strawberry greenhouses, which now includes a spring crop of the flavourful Palando variety.
One of eight strawberry greenhouses, which now includes a spring crop of the flavourful Palando variety.
Greenhouse equipped with double screen installations and insect netting
Greenhouse equipped with double screen installations and insect netting
Peter Melis certainly enthuses visitors about growing strawberries. "Spring is a special moment in strawberry growing, one of the most beautiful: in the greenhouse, you see the colouring, but also the flowering and picking at the same time."
Peter Melis certainly enthuses visitors about growing strawberries. "Spring is a special moment in strawberry growing, one of the most beautiful: in the greenhouse, you see the colouring, but also the flowering and picking at the same time."
Energy conservation study in Sonsation
Energy conservation study in Sonsation
The greenhouses are equipped with pipe rails so that the new UV robots can also be used in combating powdery mildew
The greenhouses are equipped with pipe rails so that the new UV robots can also be used in combating powdery mildew
The smaller research greenhouses (4x120 metres) will accommodate, for example, research on banker plants, new pests and diseases, and other individual needs
The smaller research greenhouses (4x120 metres) will accommodate, for example, research on banker plants, new pests and diseases, and other individual needs
Lien Bosmans, research manager, shows the various sensors that will be tested: temperature, relative humidity, irradiation, photosynthesis and CO2, for example, but also the substrates, stomata and plant reaction can be monitored.
Lien Bosmans, research manager, shows the various sensors that will be tested: temperature, relative humidity, irradiation, photosynthesis and CO2, for example, but also the substrates, stomata and plant reaction can be monitored.

The greenhouses are all located along a corridor, because of the hygiene
The greenhouses are all located along a corridor, because of the hygiene
The research centre also contains three 240-metre sections, where, for example, research into innovative crops will be started. In a few weeks, melon plants will be back in here, to be grown vertically. And because an empty greenhouse is a bit glum, here's an impression of what it will look like.
The research centre also contains three 240-metre sections, where, for example, research into innovative crops will be started. In a few weeks, melon plants will be back in here, to be grown vertically. And because an empty greenhouse is a bit glum, here's an impression of what it will look like.
Lise Soetemans, tomato researcher, explains how the Trial Centre contributes to research on innovative crops
Lise Soetemans, tomato researcher, explains how the Trial Centre contributes to research on innovative crops
Time for the tomato greenhouses! Here, light is being researched: the Mechatronix lamps can be controlled and dimmed on four channels. Three departments have been realised in this greenhouse where the lighting strategy is being adjusted. Cloths will be hung between the departments to prevent light contamination.
Time for the tomato greenhouses! Here, light is being researched: the Mechatronix lamps can be controlled and dimmed on four channels. Three departments have been realised in this greenhouse where the lighting strategy is being adjusted. Cloths will be hung between the departments to prevent light contamination.
Dimmable lamps also respond to the electricity market and prices.
Dimmable lamps also respond to the electricity market and prices.
Marlies Huysmans, Tomato researcher, shows one of the five tomato greenhouses equipped with lighting
Marlies Huysmans, Tomato researcher, shows one of the five tomato greenhouses equipped with lighting
Exposure trials test the effect of light on plants and humans, but also, for example, on bumblebees
Exposure trials test the effect of light on plants and humans, but also, for example, on bumblebees
Cooperatie en Proefcentrum Hoogstraten: Andre Verschueren and Marjes Adams, Sara van Leetegem, Dirk van den Plas and Wouter Dillien
Cooperatie en Proefcentrum Hoogstraten: Andre Verschueren and Marjes Adams, Sara van Leetegem, Dirk van den Plas and Wouter Dillien
Colleagues from the Trial Centre: Nick Druyts, Joke Eelen, Steffi Pot, Stef Laurijssen,Anke Vaessen and Benedikte Van Heghe
Colleagues from the Trial Centre: Nick Druyts, Joke Eelen, Steffi Pot, Stef Laurijssen,Anke Vaessen and Benedikte Van Heghe
Nico and Siem van Vliet of Van Vliet Kassenbouw
Nico and Siem van Vliet of Van Vliet Kassenbouw
Rob Kwinten and Ruud van Aperen, MJ-Tech / Growtec
Rob Kwinten and Ruud van Aperen, MJ-Tech / Growtec
Koen Lavrijsen and Lu Adriaensen, growers of Coöperatie Hoogstraten
Koen Lavrijsen and Lu Adriaensen, growers of Coöperatie Hoogstraten
Chris Brouwers, Jinnih Beels and Philippe Appeltans
Chris Brouwers, Jinnih Beels and Philippe Appeltans
Simon Verreckt, Agriculture Agency, and Peter Leenaerts, Pilot Centre
Simon Verreckt, Agriculture Agency, and Peter Leenaerts, Pilot Centre
Elize Vogel, Thijs de Lange, Christien Vos, Els Berckmoers and Ado Van Assche

Elize Vogel, Thijs de Lange, Christien Vos, Els Berckmoers and Ado Van Assche

Frank Christianen, Jef Jacobs and Louis Christianen
Frank Christianen, Jef Jacobs and Louis Christianen
Franky Van Looveren, Mechatronix, Wim Mulders and Gert Mulders, Mulders Nursery, Peter Bossaerts and Gerda Vets
Franky Van Looveren, Mechatronix, Wim Mulders and Gert Mulders, Mulders Nursery, Peter Bossaerts and Gerda Vets
Marleen Mertens, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency, and Bart van Olmen
Marleen Mertens, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency, and Bart van Olmen
Leo Lansbergen, Philips, and Marcel Suiker, Flevoberry
Leo Lansbergen, Philips, and Marcel Suiker, Flevoberry
The Spranco-matic team
The Spranco-matic team
Rita Demaré, Philip van Aken and Ludo Van Kelst, Belorta
Rita Demaré, Philip van Aken and Ludo Van Kelst, Belorta
Karlien Blum, Proeftuin News, and Liesbet Corthout of Farmers' Union
Karlien Blum, Proeftuin News, and Liesbet Corthout of Farmers' Union
Bart Van Calenberge, Hazera and Dries Aertsen, Meer Fresh
Bart Van Calenberge, Hazera and Dries Aertsen, Meer Fresh
Joris Bogaerts, Bogaerts, Alex Mens, VITO Hoogstraten, Matthijs van Loon, Bogaerts, and Mitch Vermeiren, Tomeco
Joris Bogaerts, Bogaerts, Alex Mens, VITO Hoogstraten, Matthijs van Loon, Bogaerts, and Mitch Vermeiren, Tomeco
Jo Blok, KBC, Luc van Oerbeek, VBT, and Bruno Gobain, ViaVerde
Jo Blok, KBC, Luc van Oerbeek, VBT, and Bruno Gobain, ViaVerde
Cindy Martens, Dirk Raemakers, Martens Constructies, Gaston Opdekamp and Hans Huijbrechts
Cindy Martens, Dirk Raemakers, Martens Constructies, Gaston Opdekamp and Hans Huijbrechts