Innovation

Vertical farming is revolutionizing the way we produce food by addressing critical sustainability challenges. PLNT was founded in 2019 and exemplifies this innovation within the city of Antwerp. The company integrates existing technologies such as irrigation systems, LED-lighting, advanced ventilation systems and sophisticated software. None of these technologies are novel individually. However, PLNT’s innovation lies in their seamless integration to create a highly controlled and efficient environment for plant growth.

This relatively new farming method significantly reduces the use of water, by up to 95%, and the use of land, by up to 75%, compared to traditional agricultural practices. The software sensors and programming ensure that plants receive the exact amount of water, light, and nutrients they need, optimizing growth and taste, while at the same time minimizing waste. These technologies allow them to produce year-round, irrespective of external weather conditions. It thereby stabilizes food supply chains and reduces dependency on unpredictable climate patterns. Radical sustainability, reuse and zero-waste are key principles in PLNT's operations. They entirely rely on green electricity, supplementing with solar energy generated from its own panels.

PLNT's vertical farming contributes directly to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The company promotes Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), as the company addresses issues of land use and water scarcity. It also supports the goal of Zero Hunger (SDG 2), by increasing food production efficiency and accessibility. In addition, vertical farming enhances Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) by integrating food production into urban environments, providing fresh produce locally and therefore also reducing food miles. Furthermore, it aids in Climate Action (SDG 13) by lowering the carbon footprint associated with traditional farming practices. Vertical farming presents a scalable solution to some of the world's most pressing challenges by integrating technology and sustainability.

Inspiration

One of the founders of PLNT, Hans Snijder, is a commercial engineer who graduated from Antwerp University. When asked about the inspiration behind starting a business in vertical farming, he explained: “When my kids were born, I started to dive into food and nutrition and when I dug further, I came across vertical farming.” He wanted to provide his children with the highest quality food, but when he delved deeper into this subject, he discovered certain deficiencies within the existing food system. This motivated him to take action and to highlight the importance of good quality food but also sustainable production.

The other founder, Niels de Caigny, was an electrician and was serving "the lucky and the few rich people", as he called them. He was a bit tired of his job and could not find the energy anymore to find the next rich guy and sell him something he did not need. Niels already had a green thumb and wanted to automate some things like irrigation in his own vegetable garden at home. When watching videos on YouTube he came across vertical farming and it inspired him.

Additionally, people are living more and more in cities, therefore they found it logical to also get more agriculture into urban areas. Hans also said: “Vertical farming has potential that goes way beyond just the technical site and taps into sustainability and challenges that we currently face, therefore it has potential ''. Furthermore, the founders had the feeling that they just had to do it and that the business plan would evolve somehow. As a result, in 2019, they founded the company PLNT, based in Antwerp.

Overall impact

PLNT’s innovation in vertical farming has contributed significantly to urban sustainability, local food production and also environmental conservation.

In the short term, PLNT has successfully integrated agriculture into urban environments, providing fresh, local products to the city of Antwerp, using mainly green energy. Students employed by the company use bikes to directly deliver leafy greens (in boxes) to subscribers' doors. Furthermore, the company’s innovative practices have also minimized waste, as all leftovers are composted or sold through the Too Good To Go platform. Additionally, the company ensures that its products are available year-round, regardless of external weather conditions.

In the long term, they aim to transform urban food production by creating a blueprint for sustainable agriculture within cities. PLNT’s model of integrating agriculture into urban settings has the potential to transform how cities approach food production, as it would help reduce the reliance on imported products, plus, the company lowers the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. This change not only benefits the environment but also enhances local food security by making cities more self-sufficient in terms of food supply. The technologies used by PLNT minimizes water usage by recycling most of it, contributing to healthier ecosystems. The company is also committed to use green electricity, underscoring its role in promoting sustainable urban living.

Moreover, the company’s innovative use of technology, such as automated carousel systems and LED lighting, and its partnerships with top restaurants, highlight its influence in advancing urban farming practices. PLNT’s ability to provide a consistent high quality product while conforming to sustainable practices shows the effectiveness and scalability of its urban cultivation model.

Business benefit

According to Hans Snijder, competition in the vertical farming sector is relatively weak in Belgium, and the few existing companies do not compete with each other. The founder said he is not particularly attentive to what other competitors are doing, but rather focuses on costs. In other words, PLNT's innovation and new approach to farming have enabled it to differentiate itself from traditional agribusinesses and reach a market with little competition. The technologies employed have made it possible to obtain a wide variety of herbs (50) and guarantee quality above all else. Low competition and high product quality have enabled PLNT to build up a loyal customer base right from the start. PLNT sells 70% of its products to businesses (B2B) and 30% to independent customers (B2C).

The costs associated with this innovation have also required the company to charge much higher prices than traditional farmers, but these high prices have resulted in satisfactory annual sales, which last year (2023) amounted to 180,000 euros, with a monthly growth of 3 to 8%. It is still important to mention that while these numbers are promising, it remains difficult for PLNT to be profitable as the costs of these technologies are high and subsidies are limited. As a result, there is still not enough income to pay high salaries, and there are only 3 employees currently working. However, a smaller workforce can be interesting in the vertical farming market as it has the potential to be more flexible and adaptable to the never-stopping changes in the market. In addition, the current focus on improving innovation suggests great growth prospects for the future. In the long term, increased profits can be passed on to employees.

Social and environmental benefit

​​PLNT is a great example of innovative urban agriculture that is beneficial for both society as well as the environment. By establishing a vertical farm in Antwerp, PLNT can significantly reduce CO2 emissions and ensure fresher produce due to shorter transportation routes. Their pesticide-free indoor farming produces safe nutrient-dense greens and herbs all year round regardless of the weather. This increases food security and promotes healthier eating habits among the urban population.

The vertical farming practices employed by PLNT have significant environmental benefits. Compared to traditional farming, their multi-layered crop systems maximize space efficiency and yields more produce per square meter. More sustainability is achieved through advanced water recycling techniques which reduce water usage by up to 95%. Another way of lessening their influence on the environment is PLNT's dedication to renewable energies such as solar panels which makes the company less dependent on non-renewable resources. This comprehensive strategy preserves natural resources and mitigates issues such as chemical runoff and soil erosion.

In conclusion, PLNT serves as a model for sustainable urban agriculture, highlighting the many ways vertical farming can enhance food security, solve urbanization issues, and lead to a more sustainable future.

Interview

Hans Snijder, Co-founder