Textile shading solution for plants in greenhouses

The machine also had to be modified so that UV-resistant elastic yarn could be incorporated as the knitting yarn.

The process of optimising the textile and machine technology was carried out step by step until the end product met all the requirements laid down by Leo Jasper. All the partners in the project worked closely on the iterative process under the guidance of KARL MAYER.

Market strategy

This new innovation was launched onto the market in 2010 after undergoing the first technical trials at KARL MAYER MALIMO. Based on the successful functional tests carried out in the test greenhouse in Honselersdijk, OMBRA-DLS was presented at the International Horti Fair in Amsterdam in 2011, during which this new screen was nominated for the Innovation Award.

The company, Elasol, was set up last year for producing and marketing OMBRA-DLS. The aim is to win the confidence of the market and maintain a clear and well-targeted presence there.

Elasol is made up of two independent companies, i.e. a production company in Germany and a marketing company in Holland. A KARL MAYER warp knitting machine with magazine weft insertion is already operating in the production facility of the joint venture. There are plans to expand the machine park in 2014.

In the meantime, the Dutch sales and marketing company has initiated an extensive programme of market penetration for OMBRA-DLS. For example, the first in-house presentation was held in June 2012 for farmers and horticulturists to introduce the product and discuss the promising results of tests carried out in a greenhouse.

The new screening/shading system was also unveiled at the Horti Fair 2012, which was held from 30 October to 2 November. Leo Jasper and his team were rushed off their feet at the horticultural fair in Aalsmeer. “We were able to welcome a large number of interested visitors to our stand,” explained Erasol’s managing director when summing up the Horti Fair 2012.

Karl Mayer