Back in 1993, French greenhouse builder Richel built one of their first high-tech horticulture projects for Turkish greenhouse grower Ayer. After 25 successful years, Richel celebrates another milestone with the completion of the all-new 9.6 meter tall Tekno Sera project in Afyon. Ridder and its local partner Haluk Atamal are proud to be part of this impressive project.

Tallest greenhouse in Turkey
A recent article at HortiDaily.com pays tribute to Richels presence in the Turkish horticulture sector. Brice Richel, Sales Director CIS at Richel, explained to the magazine that the new Tekno Sera project resembles Richel’s first Turkey project – except everything is doubled. “The size grew from 3 hectares to 6.5, the gutter height from 3 to 6 meters, and the total ridge height was 4.5 meters in 1993 and approaches the 10 meter mark now. It’s 9.8 meters”…Again, that’s a first for Turkey: it’s the highest greenhouse in the country currently.”

Ridder technology
The Tekno Sera project is located at 1000 m above sea level. The area has relatively cool winters with minus ten degrees Celsius, so a good greenhouse is needed for energy savings. Furthermore, the greenhouse is heated by a sustainable geothermal energy source. The complete greenhouse environment and irrigation are controlled by technology from Ridder; a HortiMaX CX500 climate computer to control climate, Ridder RW drive systems on both the vents and screening installation and a Ridder FertiMiX to compose a balanced fertigation strategy.

Balance
“For heating they work with a hot water supply, but CO2 is being bought. That’s quite an expense, so like every grower they search for the balance between production and costs. It’s a ballet. Their Chief Agronomist is an experienced grower. Elkan Ordü is confident, after only a few months he already can see the benefits of such a high greenhouse, not only during the hot period but also during cooler times, with a dehumidification strategy. This is made possible of course thanks to the HortiMaX climate computer, installed by Ridder Group partner Haluk Atamal.”