Published 07/07/2011

Cooler on summer days, at J. Breugem & Zn in the Netherlands.

The modern 9 ha chrysanthemum nursery of Dirk-Jan Breugem came into operation at the end of 2008. Every year it produces 27 million chrysanthemums, 95% of which are sold outside the Netherlands. An assimilation lighting installation and the XLS OBSCURA REVOLUX W/B + B/B blackout screen create the right level of light to be able to supply chrysanthemums all year round. A day length of no more than 13 hours is allowed to bring chrysanthemums into bloom, and this is realised in summer by closing the blackout screen in the afternoon.



The main reason for choosing the XLS OBSCURA REVOLUX W/B + B/B were the flame-retardant properties of the screen. Then, after a few years of working with the blackout screen, it struck Dirk-Jan that the temperature in the greenhouse when it was closed on hot summer afternoons was lower than with the blackout screen at his previous business: the upper side of the XLS OBSCURA REVOLUX W/B + B/B is white, whereas the screen at his previous business was finished with an aluminium upper side. The lower temperature beneath the blackout screen is a major advantage, because it is not possible to keep a gap in the screen before sunset to provide a cooler climate for the chrysanthemums.

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