RED x Les Crudettes
Les Crudettes and RED Horticulture have esthablished a collaborative partnership to develop a lighting solution tailored to aeroponic salad production.
15 November 2023
A pioneering project for local, more environmentally-friendly production
In 2016, Les Crudettes launched an innovative pilot greenhouse to develop aeroponic salad production technology, based at the company’s headquarters in Châteauneuf-sur-Loire.
“Our goal is to enable local, pesticide-free production year-round”, explains Armel Collon, Agronomy and Technical Manager.
Les Crudettes is shaping the production methods of tomorrow with a cutting-edge system designed to address current and future climate challenges. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also simplifies labor management by ensuring consistent, year-round production.
Relocating production, managing resources efficiently and recycling waste are core values shared by RED Horticulture. Through this partnership, RED Horticulture is investing in the future of the industry.”
Production tailored to supply chain needs.
The key production criteria for aeroponic lettuces are weight per head, leaf health and shelf life. Variety selection is crucial and we are currently testing 15 different types of lettuce. The RED LED lighting solution allows us to work with all varieties under the same lighting, adjusting the spectral settings to match the specific needs of each one.
A collaborative partnership to develop the most efficient system
Due to the lack of sufficient natural light during the winter months, an artificial LED lighting system was integrated into the project from the start. Just as 90% of the water used for nutrient solutions is recycled, the lighting must also be both economical and efficient.
This is where the collaboration with RED Horticulture began. “Our initial discussions with RED showcased their deep expertise, with ideas rooted in strong technical fundamentals,” says Armel Collon.
The partnership is built on joint efforts; trials conducted at Châteauneuf-sur-Loire and ongoing support from RED’s photobiology team. This support included a comprehensive bibliography on the light-to-lettuce ratio. ‘The bibliography helped us validate our ideas, explore new avenues, and eliminate certain hypotheses,’ Armel explains.
Having validated the growing protocols, Les Crudettes aims to share their production tools with growers. “We want to move forward quickly to provide growers with the best lighting solutions and optimal light spectra. The lettuce produced with our system won’t just be for our factories; it can also supply the fresh market.”