Key Takeaways:
- GyroPlant, in collaboration with CHAP, initiated a new R&D project starting November 2023 to further sustainable, substrate-free indoor farming.
- This project is supported by Innovate UK (IUK) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) under their 2023 Novel low-emission food production systems funding competition.
- The initiative seeks to address the Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (T/CEA) industry’s reliance on unsustainable growing mediums and to enhance food security.
- GyroCup, a transformative technology made from food-grade silicone rubber, is at the heart of this project, potentially eliminating the need for substrates in plant cultivation.
- The project includes conducting growing trials, designing automation machinery for seeding, and rigorous on-site testing to establish the most efficient and sustainable growing methods.
Introduction to the Project
In November 2023, GyroPlant (Company Profile), in partnership with Crop Health and Protection (CHAP), embarked on an R&D project funded by Innovate UK (IUK) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). This project is set to pave the way for sustainable, substrate-free indoor growing at an industrial scale.
Addressing the Sustainability Challenge in T/CEA
The Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (T/CEA) sector is poised to significantly contribute to food security and environmental sustainability by optimizing diminishing arable land and natural resources. However, the industry’s dependence on plastic net pots and single-use substrates, often imported and carbon-intensive, poses a significant sustainability challenge. The GyroPlant-CHAP collaboration aims to mitigate these issues by introducing GyroCup, a reusable and substrate-minimizing solution.
The Innovation Behind GyroCup
GyroCup, crafted from food-grade silicone rubber, represents a leap forward in indoor farming technology. GyroCup may eliminate the need for substrates in certain conditions by offering a reusable alternative to traditional planting mediums. Preliminary research indicates that combining GyroCup with minimal substrate during germination could optimize growth for specific crops, marking a significant advancement toward reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Project Phases and Objectives
This 20-month collaborative effort is structured around two main strands: conducting trials to identify optimal growing protocols using GyroCup and automating the seeding process to enhance farm efficiency. The project culminates in extensive testing to validate the developed methodologies, aiming to increase farm resilience, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
Industry and Environmental Impact
The partnership between GyroPlant and CHAP, with support from leading scientific organizations, underscores the project’s potential to transform the T/CEA industry. By reducing reliance on unsustainable practices, this initiative seeks to improve food security and lessen the environmental footprint of indoor farming.
Closing Remarks
Marcus Comaschi, founder of GyroPlant, and Dr. Aurélie Bovi, Innovation Sector Lead at CHAP, emphasize the project’s significance in enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of T/CEA systems. With GyroCup, they envision a future where indoor farming is more resilient, less wasteful, and significantly more environmentally friendly.
