Solution Deep-Dive: Cleangreens’s Greenova

A visit to Cleangreen's installation with the Solar Impulse Foundation

Cleangreens has come up with an innovative agricultural solution at its R&D center in Molondin, Switzerland. The Greenova solution aims to revolutionise greenhouse agriculture by developing aeroponic growing systems as an alternative to hydroponic models.

What exactly are aeroponic or hydroponic mechanisms ? Our discussion with Martina Denti, business developer at Cleangreens, explores the features of the Greenova invention and how it could shape the future of greenhouse farming.

Greenova: going aeroponic

Cleangreens offers a sustainable alternative for leafy greens cultivations (aromatic herbs, lettuce): Greenova. 

The Greenova system differs from hydroponic technologies where roots are fully submerged in water. In aeroponic systems, the roots of the plant are suspended in the air and separated from one another, avoiding risks of cross-contamination between them.

In aeroponic systems, plants are irrigated from below; nozzles spray water and nutrients directly from under the roots. The root only absorbs what it needs, the excess is then recollected and re-injected into the Greenova system, making it a closed loop cycle.

The Greenova solution uses an irrigation robot that moves under the crops  and requires far less maintenance than the fixed nozzles often seen in similar systems. 

Since the roots are suspended in the air, they receive full oxygenation, reducing the risk of contact with bacteria that thrive in oxygen-poor soils or standing water. Compared to hydroponic systems, aeroponics uses 60% less water–and significantly less than traditional open-field farming.

The greenhouse environment also allows Cleangreens to maintain optimal growing conditions for various cultures all throughout the year.

Aeroponic cultivation with Greenova

 

From Pilot to Large-Scale Execution

Founded in 2013, Cleangreens began as a 600m2 pilot project. In 2019, Cleangreen’s Greenova was first labelled by the Solar Impulse foundation– enabling the company to gain credibility and visibility across the market.  Through their collaboration with the foundation, they were also invited to an international conference to share their view on how to improve water savings in agriculture.

Cleangreens has evolved into a multi-site operation: in addition  to the R&D center in Molondin, the Greenova solution is being implemented in Geneva on a 500m2 surface. On an international scale, France has adopted this solution in two different greenhouses of 6000m2 and 3000m2 each. Cleangreen’s biggest project is located in Kuwait;  the current installation is 6,000 m2 and will expand to 24,000m2 – making it the largest greenhouse using aeroponic technologies on Earth! 

The Greenova solution can now be used to grow more than 100 varieties of leafy greens and over 1,000 varieties of aromatic/medicinal plants.

Large scale Greenova implementation

 

Paving the Way for Resilient and Sustainable Farming

In the years ahead, Cleangreens aims to evolve from a niche R&D company into a strategic partner for resilient agriculture by advancing automation and integrating software and AI into greenhouse management – particularly across Europe. The organisation also aspires to extend its impact on emerging markets like the MENA ( Middle-East and North Africa) region. 

Most importantly, Cleangreens focuses on inspiring more sustainable and innovative cultivation methods while meeting the demands of farmers and actors in the world of agriculture.