A NEW group of researchers, growers and manufacturers aims to improve food production in the UK by unlocking the potential of greenhouses.
The Greenhouse Innovation Consortium (GIC), spearheaded by Dr Sven Batke, Reader in Plant Science at Edge Hill University, was launched to address critical challenges facing the UK greenhouse industry.
The collaboration – with Pilkington UK (a member of NSG Group), Philipps, FlavourFresh, CambridgeHOK and GlassFutures – will accelerate innovation and propel the industry forward by fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Dr Batke, GIC founder and chairperson, said: “The UK greenhouse industry possesses immense potential to play a leading role in sustainable food production. However, navigating complex challenges requires collective action and innovative solutions.
“The GIC brings together the collective expertise and resources of leading players across the industry to create a collaborative ecosystem that fosters innovation and drives positive change.
“In the UK, we are still heavily reliant on food imports from abroad. For example, 80% of fruit and over half of vegetables are being imported. This reliance has made the UK very vulnerable.”
The consortium aims to:
- Utilise, develop and test cutting-edge technologies to enhance crop quality, yield and resilience;
- Help growers improve resource use and develop more sustainable practices;
- Provide scientific evidence on new materials and practices that can help businesses to derisk;
- Provide training and networking opportunities to enable knowledge transfer and innovation;
- Support growers to become more competitive and resilient to fluctuating markets;
- Build capacity in the greenhouse manufacturing sector by leading grower-informed product development.
The GIC’s diverse membership proves the consortium’s commitment to a holistic approach, encompassing all aspects of the greenhouse industry. By leveraging individual strengths and fostering collaborative research and development, the GIC aims to deliver tangible benefits for its members and the wider UK horticultural sector.
The GIC has developed several strategies to work on joint ventures over the coming years, including the recent testing of new glass coating technologies designed at Edge Hill University’s Ormskirk campus.
Find out more about studying Plant Science at Edge Hill University.
