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In recent years diffuse glass has become a popular item in greenhouse horticulture. Recent studies at the University of Wageningen (WUR) show that higher production in horticulture can be achieved by the use of diffuse glass. Especially the fruit crops, such as cucumbers and tomatoes show the advantages here.

Hemispherical light transmission
In the Netherlands diffuse light is available approximately 80% of the time throughout the year. The values of the hemispherical light (the entrance of light at different angles) are of great importance. By making the glass diffuse, the light source is ‘scattered’ (the Haze factor). At the same time direct radiation on the crop is prevented, which greatly reduces the plant stress and combustion.

Better results
Due to scattering of the natural light in leaf crops, such as cucumber and tomato, the light source penetrates deeper into the crop and photosynthesis is increased. This results in an increased production of up to 10%. Until recently, the choice of a specific type of glass was mainly based on the measurement (value) of the direct light transmission, while diffuse light is technically and year-round very important.

We have introduced a diffuse glass type with very high light qualities. This product called Diffulite® finds its origin in the solar industry, where high light transmissions for higher efficiency are also required for the best result. This type of glass is produced in Asia and is based on very pure raw materials. The result is a ‘Low Iron’ glass with a direct light transmission of above 92%. Despite the diffusion of the glass, the values are excellent for hemispheric light.

Excellent qualities
The production of the glass on the basis of the ‘rolling principle’, where a structure is directly applied to the glass, which gives the diffusion to the glass and prevents additional logistic handling of an aftertreatment. This glass is 5 times stronger than normal glass, which reduces the damage in the event of a storm and increases the safety of the working conditions. In addition, it can save insurance premium.

In addition, we sell the same glass, but with an AR (Anti-Reflection) treatment, called Diffulite®+. Because of this AR application, both direct and hemispherical light transmissions increase with 4 to 5%! This treatment takes place in the same factory where the glass is produced. As a result, there are no extra logistical handlings, which keeps the cost price low.