Belgium: PCS opens new greenhouses and green offices

Flemish Minister of Environment, Nature and Agriculture Joke Schauvliege, deputy of East Flanders for Agriculture and Countryside Alexander Vercamer and president of the Belgian farming and horticultural association Boerenbond Sonja De Becker attended the formal opening of the new greenhouses and green offices at PCS Ornamental Plant Research (Proefcentrum voor Sierteelt) in Destelbergen, Belgium. A panel discussion with plant growers clarified that the new research infrastructure at PCS will enable the centre to support the Flemish floricultural and plant sector even better in becoming more sustainable and future-oriented. The project, worth € 5.7 million in total investment, received support from the Flemish government, the Belgian Province of East Flanders and the Provincial Chamber of Agriculture.

LTR: Bruno Gobin (Director PCS), René Denis (vice-president PCS), Sonja De Becker (president Boerenbond), Martine Verhoeve (deputy of East Flanders), Jan Briers (governor of East Flanders), Alexander Vercamer (deputy of East Flanders and president PCS), Joke Schauvliege (Flemish Minister of Environment, Nature and Agriculture)

The new infrastructure will allow PCS to be a forerunner in Flemish floriculture and landscaping and lead the sector by demonstrating and testing innovative and sustainable techniques on their practicality and economic feasibility at company level. PCS Ornamental Plant Research finds it very important to be closely involved with entrepreneurs in the industry, taking on board questions and challenges from the sector very quickly and translating knowledge from research directly into practical solutions. For this reason, a workgroup of growers was involved in the project to ensure the new greenhouses closely tied in with their real-life needs.

Equipped with innovative technologies that will reduce the need for precious natural resources, like energy and water, the new greenhouses of 4,770 sqm consist of 32 separate compartments that each have their own management in terms of climate, screening, air supply, lighting, watering, etc. and offer the necessary room for testing and ornamental plant growing demonstrations. In the smallest 36 sqm compartments, the centre is setting out to gather knowledge about new, innovative techniques, while the medium-sized ones between 116 and 230 sqm offer the opportunity to conduct practice-oriented research and demonstrations on a larger scale. In addition, one compartment is being equipped for multi-layered growing, aiming mostly at energy economisation by housing multiple layers of plants in one single, well-insulated, daylight-less compartment artificially lit with LED lighting.

The new offices of 700 sqm are an example for greenery integration in office buildings and densely built-up areas in Flanders, where more green will have a definite positive impact on our health and the environment in general. For this reason, the new offices were given a green wall both indoors and outdoors, creating a natural effect on a very small surface area, while the roof garden on top and the plant decorations inside showcase how office plant providers can turn dull, grey spaces into pleasant, leafy working environments.

The existing office building was simultaneously converted into an educational centre with ample space for study days, training and other activities for the sector which will make PCS more than ever before a meeting place for all Flemish floriculture and plant sector stakeholders.

By demonstrating this progressive new infrastructure, PCS Ornamental Plant Research wants to encourage Flanders’ ornamental plant growers and greenery installation providers to implement innovations in practice too.

For more information:
PCS Ornamental Plant Research

Schaessestraat 18, B-9070 Destelbergen

T +32 (0)9 353 94 94

F +32 (0)9 353 94 95

info@pcsierteelt.be