The ninth edition of the three-day international seed technology fair Seed meets Technology once again attracted an international and skilled crowd to Vertify's greenhouse complex in Zwaagdijk, which has been transformed into an exhibition complex. All the space is available was well utilized. They even had to turn some of those interested in participating away because the fair floor was completely booked up with both stands and trade tables at the beginning of the summer.
Those who have been visiting the fair for years will by now come across familiar faces and companies. Yet the fair organizers still manage to attract new companies to Zwaagdijk as well. For a handful of exhibitors, it was their first time as an exhibitor at the fair. Striking is the increase in the number of Italian companies, while Turkish parties also signed up for the first time.
UV-C
As in other years, it produced a diverse range of machines for counting, weighing, packing, coating, priming, or disinfecting seeds. In the area of disinfection, a machine for UV-C disinfection of seeds stood out. The technique of UV-C disinfection has been known for years for water and air, among other things, but disinfecting seeds with UV-C that does not happen much yet. German company Dinies Technologies does that, together with Idépack as its partner for the Benelux.
There were also developments in the field of logistics. South African (!) Alpal brought a system to the fair that allows big bags to be stacked six high. What was new was that the product had been further developed in such a way that the plastic pallet had been made completely flat, allowing for optimal cleaning. Hygiene is, more than ever, something that breeding companies are looking at.
Customised innovations
Last year's fair already showed that, unlike in the cultivation side of the sector, energy is not really a capital issue. Yet companies are making improvements here. Heat pumps are making inroads in seed drying systems and climate cabinets, with water taking the role of (like crop protection agents) increasingly limited available refrigerants as much as possible. Handy in that area could also be a French innovation that allows seeds to be stored for years without the need for refrigeration. This was on display only on Wednesday at Tamia Pack's trade table.
Less obvious, but certainly also present, were innovations under the 'bonnet' of machines as well as custom-made innovations. Over a snack and a drink from the well-groomed (and free for fair visitors!) catering, it turned out that teams of technical men on behalf of breeding companies were also specifically looking for these.
Seed meets Technology again proved to be the pre-eminent fair to get all caught up in the morning or afternoon by suppliers or future suppliers on the latest developments. Meanwhile, thanks to the beautiful autumn weather, it was easy to take a stroll around the demo fields surrounding the host Vertify site. The fair, together with the demos in week 39, has now become a regular combination for more and more people. Seed meets Technology closed its doors at 5 pm on September 28.