Edge Hill scientist launches greenhouse project to improve crop yields

By Tim Aldred

28 Aug 2024

Sven Batke

A new project chaired by a scientist at Edge Hill University will look to enhance greenhouse technology to improve the UK's crop yields.

Estimates from the Greenhouse Innovation Consortium suggest that 70 per cent of greenhouses in the UK are over 40 years old. Greenhouses, compared to outside growing, can provide all year round food. However, the sector in the UK has had very little investment and growth.

The GIC is lead by Dr Sven Batke (pictured), reader in plant science at Edge Hill University, and comprises researchers, growers and manufacturers.

The collaboration with Pilkington UK (a member of NSG Group), Philipps, FlavourFresh, CambridgeHOK and GlassFutures will accelerate innovation and propel the industry forward by fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. 

Dr Batke said: "The UK greenhouse industry possesses immense potential to play a leading role in sustainable food production. However, navigating complex challenges requires collective action and innovative solutions. 

“The GIC brings together the collective expertise and resources of leading players across the industry to create a collaborative ecosystem that fosters innovation and drives positive change. 

"In the UK, we are still heavily reliant on food imports from abroad. For example, 80 per cent of fruit and over half of vegetables are being imported. This reliance has made the UK very vulnerable." 

The consortium aims to develop cutting-edge technologies to enhance crop quality, yield and resilience, while helping growers improve the way they use their resources to develop more sustainable practices.

It will also work to increase capacity in the greenhouse manufacturing sector by leading grower-informed product development.

The work will include providing scientific evidence on new materials and practices to help businesses make better decisions, and providing training and networking opportunities to enable knowledge transfer and innovation.

Dr Anna Colley from Pilkington UK, said: "We recently launched Pilkington Botanical, a dedicated greenhouses glass range, that has been designed to help growers to optimise the light growing environment in their greenhouses. By partnering up with GIC members we can run more commercially realistic trials and develop more customer-focused products." 

The UK greenhouse market is relatively small compared to other countries in Europe. 

Noel O'Leary from CambridgeHOK added: "The UK industry has always been at the forefront of innovation, while dwarfed by the Netherlands, and the associated efficiencies this drives, innovation such as this, helps to level the playing field. It’s great to see the UK once again driving global innovations."  

David Barker from FlavourFresh said: "As a business it has been challenging in the past few years. Spiking energy prices and Brexit, as well as skilled staff shortages, have made businesses like ours vulnerable. We joined the GIC as we believe that only through innovation can we build capacity and resilience." 

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Management buyout at Suresite Group Steve Holden

Management buyout at Suresite Group

17 Oct 2025

2

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company Helen and Richard Chalu new

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company

16 Oct 2025

3

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide Daniel Long

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide

16 Oct 2025

4

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth Peter Heskine

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth

16 Oct 2025

5

Stockley's finds its sweet spot Stockley's front view

Stockley's finds its sweet spot

15 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin