A new product will soon appear on shelves in Belgian supermarkets: Hydro leek, grown in water basins rather than outdoors. The system was developed by REO Veiling and Inagro. Indurra and its spin-off Hydromasters supplied the automation using Siemens technology. According to the parties involved, the system offers an efficient and future-oriented solution for a crop that has been under pressure for years.
© Siemens
The leek is one of the most important vegetables in West Flanders, but stricter environmental regulations, extreme weather conditions, and labour shortages are leading to declining cultivation volumes. For this reason, REO and Inagro launched hydroponic trials in 2015. After a series of tests, both organisations concluded that hydro leeks can be grown both profitably and sustainably.
Very labour-intensive and physically demanding
To scale up the system, Indurra was brought in for robotics and automation. "Harvesting leeks is very labour-intensive and physically demanding work," says Patrick Heughebaert, managing director at Indurra. "It is becoming increasingly difficult to find seasonal workers, and labour costs are high. Robotisation is the answer."
© Siemens
Among other solutions, Indurra developed a harvesting robot, carriers for the plants, and an automated loading and unloading station. Johan Sinaeve of Hydromasters explains: "We developed a customised automated hydroponic system that allows the carriers to slide into the basin and out again." The system accounts for fluctuating water levels and operates with a hydrocomputer that precisely manages water and nutrients.
The entire control system runs on Siemens technology. Indurra programmed and tested the system in TIA Portal, with virtual testing through SIMIT and PLC Sim Advanced, helping reduce development time. "We are so familiar with Siemens technology that we often forget how advanced it is," says Patrick.
Resolved in seconds
For operators, the plant can be controlled via a WinCC Unified interface on an industrial IPC. All operational data is collected through Machine Data Collection, which provides insight into energy consumption, motor performance, cycle times, water levels, and sensor readings. "If something goes wrong, there is immediate notification and analysis. What used to take hours of searching is now resolved in seconds," says Johan.
© Siemens
According to Indurra, hydro leek offers clear sustainability and efficiency benefits. The controlled growing conditions lead to fewer diseases and pests and therefore fewer crop protection products. Quality is more consistent, and the white stalks are longer. Yields are also higher: One hectare of hydroponics produces as many leeks as seven hectares of open field production.
Tests with drones
The circular system operates without irrigation, water loss, or fertiliser leaching. Tests with drones are also underway to apply crop protection products even more precisely. Hydromasters plans to further industrialise and market the technology.
Source: Siemens
For more information
REO
Oostnieuwkerksesteenweg 101
8800 Roeselare, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 51 231211
[email protected]
www.reo.be
Inagro
Ieperseweg 87
8800 Rumbeke-Beitem
Tel: +32 (0) 51 273200
[email protected]
inagro.be
Indurra
Oostkaai 20c
8900, Leper
Tel: +32 (0) 57 218283
[email protected]
www.indurra.be
Hydromasters
Oostkaai 20 C
8900, Leper
Tel: +32 (0) 468 086813
[email protected]
www.hydromasters.be
