Stabilization of greenhouses films under severe treatment with pesticides – trends and new products

Mega trends affecting the market: Grow More With Less

• Global population is expected to exceed 9 billion people in 2050.
• Food production needs to increase by 60%
• Water scarcity
  • Water use growing double the rate of population increase
  • Over 40% of people will be affected by water scarcity in 2050
  • Agriculture accounts for 70% of all fresh water consumption (95% in some developing countries!)
• Soil/Land
  • Shrinking arable land
  • A third of soil is degraded (erosion, nutrient depletion, acidification, salinization, pollution)

Market needs and trends

• Longer lasting films
• Maintaining all functional properties of the film (mechanical, optical, hydrophilicity, etc.)
• Energy saving & improved productivity (thermal screens, double cladding, “cooling” films
• New fumigants. Soil disinfection with chloropicrin. TIF fumigation barrier films should withstand high amount of Cl
• High chemicals stability: Constant growth in Agrochemical usage up to 5,000 ppm Sulfur, 200 ppm Cl,150 ppm Fe. Sulfur – “environmentally friendly”  allowed in organic farming and integrated pest management (IPM)

Kafrit R&D Methodology

• Scientific analysis
• Wide data base
• All new formulas are tested in our Lab (accelerated (Xenon Arc, QUV) & outdoor weathering)
• Since 2009 cooperation with Government experimental farm with full agronomic support for new formulations development
• Own Field trials & with leading additive suppliers
• Commercial trials with customers around the globe

Kafrit NEW products

• Chemical’s resistant: S and Cl
• UVA 00701 LD UVA 07160 LD
• EXP (1990/60) & EXP (1930/60)

Performance of different UVA MBs under sulfur treatment – extensive field trials

• Walk-in tunnels.
• Experimental farm
• 160 kLy/year
• PE/EVA 3 layers films, 180 mm
• Weekly Sulfur evaporation

Excellent sulfur resistant of UVA 00701 LD, as standard NOR based solution (UVA 0G150 LD).

Superior Sulfur resistance of UVA 07160 LD.

3 years field trials with roses and peppers growers – 180 mm, LD/EVA

• Excellent sulfur resistant of UVA 00701 LD, as standard NOR based solution (UVA 0G150 LD)
• Superior performance of UVA 07160 LD compares to standard NOR and Ni based solutions. 70% retained strength after 36 months at the field. 2700 ppm S

Persistent UV absorption with UVA 00701 LD and UVA 07160 LD

UVA 00701 LD keeps on ca. 70% UV blocking even after 3 years at the field.

Outdoor weathering with chemical treatment – Chlorine based insecticide

• UVA EXP I (1990/60) and EXP II (1930/60) significantly outperforms standard solutions in Chlorine environment. (more than 500 ppm of Cl)
• Samples are available for trials with customers.

UVA MBs with no influence on pollination & color development – UVA 07920 LD

UV stabilizers’ MB with Partial UV absorption and “UV open”

• Plants that need UV light for color development (eggplants, red salad, nectarines, flowering pot plants)
• Greenhouses where pollination by bumblebees or honeybees is used
• Integrated Pest Management

UV vis transmittance spectrum, 200 micron 6.5% UV MB. Transmittance between 300nm to 380nm

QUVA exposure: UV absorber loss rate, after 1500 hours

• UVA 07920 LD (UVA 3) permit high transmission in UVA region (more than 30% in 200 micron at 6% dosing )
• UVA 07920 LD (UVA 3) has excellent photo-stability (less 15% after ca.1500 hours at QUV)
• UVA 3 is not listed as potential candidate in SVHC list (as vPvB), therefore safety to use. No regulatory restrictions.

Chemicals resistant UV MBs by Kafrit

For more information, please contact:

Hanna Schwartz
R&D Manager
Kafrit Industries (1993) LTD
Tel: +972-8-6809-597 Mobile: +972-50-7891-726
hanna@kafrit.co.il