Alexander Gerfer, CTO of the Würth Elektronik eiSos Group and Ryan Archer, Co-Founder and COO of Horizon Growers, presented the latest developments in vertical farming at the DLD Conference in Munich on 17 January 2025. The discussion, moderated by FOCUS editor-in-chief Franziska Reich, posed the provocative question: ‘Can the CO2-neutral greenhouse feed the world?’

Magnificent plant growth can be seen right in front of the DLD stage – Alexander Gerfer, has once again brought something special for the 20th anniversary of the digital conference: a ‘Breeding Station’ for the pre-cultivation of cuttings and seedlings, which, under controlled light and nutrient supply, is intended to make an important contribution to local and sustainable indoor farming. The station's extensive measurement technology even allows it to learn from the system, including using AI approaches. This new project from the component manufacturer was developed in collaboration with Bürkert Fluid Systems.

Continuous optimization of horticulture LEDs

Würth Elektronik's commitment to controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is nothing new: as part of the development of horticulture LEDs, the company has been researching specific light recipes that control plant growth in a targeted manner for years. Precisely defined light frequencies and illumination rhythms promote faster and more effective root formation in cuttings, reduce failure rates and increase productivity in indoor farming systems. Every plant has its ideal light recipe for optimal growth.

Local production instead of imports

‘The import rate of tomatoes in Germany is almost identical to that of the United Arab Emirates,’ says Ryan Archer, COO of Horizon Growers, surprising everyone with this statement. This start-up team was previously responsible for developing and operating one of the largest indoor farms of the Middle East in the desert state. Archer does not consider long transport routes for the food supply to be sustainable. He therefore advocates, just like Würth Elektronik, for consumer-oriented production in indoor farms in Germany.

Synergies are crucial for efficiency

Gerfer and Archer also agree on another key point: energy efficiency and synergies are crucial to the successful implementation of indoor farming in Germany. The vision: CEA farms in clusters that work with renewable energy sources and CO₂-intensive producers. The industrial companies can provide large amounts of waste heat and CO₂ emissions for plant breeding, while the CEA farms serve as CO₂ sinks. This would make a CO2-neutral greenhouse possible.

Together for success

One thing became particularly clear during the panel discussion: a successful, consumer-oriented and sustainable food supply will only be possible through new partnerships – partnerships between high-tech companies, partnerships between industry and agriculture. ‘For the breeding station, we are working with the fluid system specialist Bürkert,’ explains Alexander Gerfer. ’Now we are considering, together with Horizon Growers, how this system can form the basis for future net-zero greenhouses. As a responsible company, we are helping to turn ideas into reality.’

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