"Saving energy at an affordable price"

Rising energy prices are posing a significant challenge to the horticulture industry. To remain profitable in the future, the sector must reduce its energy consumption. More and better insulation is the most obvious first step in that direction. Highly energy-saving, affordable screens can help growers to achieve this.

Recently, Phormium introduced Noctis Thermo: a 100% aluminum screen with an attractive price. With Noctis Thermo, Phormium now offers an affordable solution to this challenge. That is where Noctis Thermo makes the difference with traditional aluminum screens.

The main technical features of Noctis Thermo are: 72% energy saving, 99% shading and an 8-year warranty. Phormium's unique weaving expertise and MEP™ technology make the combination of these properties possible.

Its technical features make Noctis Thermo suitable for 3 areas of application. These are: (LED) lit crops, variable shading and unlit crops.

72% energy savings
Phormiums MEP™ technology (micro-encapsulated particles) allows microscopic aluminum particles to be encapsulated in the yarns of Noctis Thermo. The aluminum gives the screen a low transmission coefficient for thermal radiation (called FIR transmissivity).

The FIR transmissivity value of Noctis Thermo, determined by WUR, is 8%. This is significantly lower than the FIR transmissivity value of a traditional energy screen of approximately 30%.

Phormium introduces the aluminum particles during the extrusion step of its vertically integrated production process. The MEP™ technology allows Phormium to produce aluminum screens cost-effectively.

But the presence of the encapsulated aluminum particles is not the only reason why Noctis Thermo saves 72% of energy. Also, the screens permeability plays an important role in this. The weaving pattern selected by Phormium for Noctis Thermo gives the screen its low porosity (low permeability) which results in a low energy loss due to the passage of warm air.

The permeability value of Noctis Thermo, determined by WUR, is 0.33*10-7. This value is significantly lower than the permeability value of a traditional energy screen or light restriction screen of approximately 0.6*10-7. The combination of the low permeability, low FIR transmissivity results in a screen that saves 72% energy. The interwoven yarn pattern ensures the necessary removal of excess moisture.

99% shading
Since Noctis Thermo is a 100% aluminum screen, it can also be used as a light restriction screen. With its shading level of 99%, it meets the most severe requirements regarding the prevention of light pollution. Noctis Thermo is the only light restriction screen that also saves 72% of energy.

Since Noctis Thermo is a 100% aluminum screen, it can also be used as a light restriction screen. With its shading level of 99%, it meets the most severe requirements regarding the prevention of light pollution. Noctis Thermo is the only light restriction screen that also saves 72% of energy.

Another area of application for Noctis Thermo is variable shading. Variable shading is increasingly being used in ornamental horticulture to optimize growing conditions, By combining a diffuse and a light restriction screen the amount of incoming light is regulated while achieving equal light conditions throughout the entire greenhouse.

For the light restriction screen, traditionally, a white type is chosen. However, Noctis Thermo allows for further optimization of energy efficiency. The improved thermal properties of Noctis Thermo will further reduce the energy loss of the greenhouse, which is particularly welcome in energy-intensive crops such as ornamental plants.

Visit Phormium at GreenTech Amsterdam
From June 10 to 12, Phormium is exhibiting on GreenTech Amsterdam. Visit Phormium on booth 05.515 to learn more about Noctis Thermo and experience its extraordinary insulation properties yourselves by use of thermal vision tools. Catch up with Phormium's team of experts to inform yourself about the latest developments in climate screen technology.