Seed specialist KWS is expanding its R&D capacities in Andijk, the Netherlands. On a 10,000m2 site, a state-of-the-art greenhouse will be constructed, as well as a dedicated preparation and research area for outdoor vegetables including an office and laboratory. The completion of this project is scheduled for early 2025.
The new greenhouse area will be used for research in the outdoor crops spinach, beans, red beet and Swiss chard. Another part will be dedicated to the fruity crops cucumber and pepper with the main focus on trials with, and reproduction of doubled haploid plants, which are developed at the KWS research site in Wageningen.
"The new facilities in Andijk are an important milestone in our efforts to strengthen our strategic position in the vegetable seed market," says Frank Hollenberg, Site Manager Andijk. "Our site in Andijk, in the heart of Seed Valley – the center of vegetable breeding in the Northwest of the Netherlands – serves as a central hub for our Vegetables business unit, allowing us to scale up our core activities. The newly gained space will enable our R&D colleagues to carry out more and higher quality trials. As a result, we can accelerate our innovative vegetable varieties that respond to the current challenges growers and value chain partners are facing." Embracing sustainable practices
In a commitment to sustainable practices, the new R&D Centre will harness the power of 360 solar panels installed on the roof of the building, creating a renewable source of electricity for the Andijk site. Additionally, the rainwater will be collected to realize a grey water circuit in the whole facility.
For more information:
Jessie Voois
Pop Vriend Seeds
Tel: +31-653000605
[email protected]
www.kws.com