AGCulture Glass, based in Belgium, has undertaken a comprehensive examination to confirm the compatibility of its Fountain AR (anti-reflection) glass with various ReduSystems coatings from Lumiforte. The evaluation also included testing the cleaning agent ReduClean on their renowned low-iron greenhouse glass. According to Mohammad Shayesteh, the director of AGCulture, “We now know for sure that our Fountain glass is not adversely affected by Lumiforte’s products. In follow-up tests, we will also assess them on our other glass types.”
Light plays a pivotal role in year-round plant growth, and there is a rising demand for anti-reflective (AR) glass due to its ability to reflect less natural light, thus allowing more Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) light to reach the greenhouse crops. PAR light is essential for plant growth and development. However, during sunny periods, excessive sunlight can be detrimental to plants. To address this issue, temporary coatings from ReduSystems offer a practical solution. These coatings can be applied when needed and removed with ReduClean when the sunlight intensity diminishes.
Managing director Mohammad Shayesteh of AGCulture emphasizes the established compatibility between standard greenhouse glass, temporary coatings, and their corresponding cleaning agents. However, he points out that the compatibility of AR glass, coatings, and cleaning agents has been insufficiently explored. Therefore, AGCulture was motivated to clarify this aspect for their customers.
In 2022, Wageningen University & Research conducted research in collaboration with AGCulture on the cleaning of various types of AR glass. The results were promising, indicating that, with the right cleaning methods and agents, there is minimal or no deterioration in quality. Nonetheless, specific attention was not given to the potential impact of temporary coatings often applied to the greenhouse roof during light-rich periods. AGCulture has conducted its independent research on this matter in collaboration with Lumiforte.
Mathieu Fiore, Global R&D manager of Lumiforte, expresses his curiosity about the results of this research. He emphasizes that compatibility is crucial for the performance and longevity of AR glass, which is a significant investment compared to ordinary, uncoated glass. While the safety of ReduSystems products for users and materials has been rigorously tested by the manufacturer, Fiore acknowledges that the extensive variety of glass types and AR treatments necessitates additional investigations. Lumiforte is pleased to provide the results of their compatibility tests to assist glass manufacturers in their evaluations.
AGCulture conducted tests on nearly the entire range of ReduSystems products, including ReduSol, ReduHeat, ReduFuse, and ReduFuse IR, using ReduClean as a cleaning agent. The researchers applied the agents according to the recommended usage guidelines, allowed them to dry thoroughly, and then removed them after a week using ReduClean. The hemispheric light transmission was measured before and after treatment to assess any impact on the quality of AR glass. This process was repeated up to ten times for each type of coating, simulating effects over a ten-year period to ensure long-term performance.
The results of this extensive field study were positive. Shayesteh notes, “Those were good across the board, both for ourselves and for Lumiforte.” After ten treatments involving the application and removal of temporary coatings, the hemispheric light transmission of Fountain AR glass decreased by less than 1%. Neither the temporary coatings nor ReduClean had any noticeable adverse effects on the anti-reflection properties. This confirmation of compatibility aligns with their expectations and ensures the optimal performance of their glass.
Shayesteh also reveals that the same protocol is being applied to the company’s other greenhouse glass types, such as Briljant (diffuse glass) and Geysir (low-emission glass). While no surprises have been encountered thus far, the trials are ongoing and will conclude in the fall, with the hope of sharing more positive results.