Grönska

This interview details Grönska, an indoor farming company based in Sweden. The interview is with Ingrid Lund, Head of R&D at Grönska.

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What is the origin story of Grönska?

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Grönska's journey sprouted from a basement where three friends, Petter, Robin, and Natalie, delved into the possibilities of vertical farming in Sweden. Their curiosity led them to experiment with LED lights, birthing Grönska in 2014.

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What began as a small-scale venture in the basement blossomed into one of Europe's largest vertical farms near Stockholm in 2018. Grönska's vision of self-sufficient cities became tangible with the release of the GrowOff in 2017, an innovative indoor farming module that allows the cultivation of 300 plants monthly on a single square meter. Today, with a dedicated team of 12, Grönska is at the forefront of sustainable food production technology.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing Grönska in the future? 

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In recent years, the challenges faced by many companies, exacerbated by the pandemic, reverberated through supply chains, pricing structures, and customer dynamics. Economic uncertainties posed obstacles to investment and purchasing power. However, Grönska perceives these challenges as opportunities to fortify its position. The lean, efficient, and smart practices adopted during this period have positioned the company strongly to confront future challenges. With an unwavering belief in the significance of vertical farming technology, Grönska is poised to navigate and contribute to the evolving landscape of sustainable agriculture.

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What is unique about Grönska compared to competitors? 

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What sets Grönska apart is its holistic approach to vertical farming. Unlike competitors, Grönska pioneers the development, manufacturing, and testing of every aspect of its growing systems. From lighting and electronics to irrigation systems, packaging, and design, the company integrates its rich experience into every detail. The result is the most user-friendly vertical farming module, requiring an average of only 20 minutes per month for maintenance, yet yielding over 300 pots. Grönska places usability at the forefront without compromising on the technological prowess and efficiency of its products.

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What is the current size of your average growing unit? 

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The dimensions of Grönska's current vertical farming unit stand at 2060mm in height, 660 mm in depth, and 1320 mm in width. This compact design reflects the company's commitment to optimizing space while ensuring efficient and productive farming capabilities.

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What are your thoughts in CO2 usage in indoor farms? 

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Grönska's commitment to sustainability is underscored by its partnership with the Swedish Environmental Institute (IVL) and continuous efforts to evaluate the environmental footprint of its farming systems. Through life cycle assessments, Grönska has adopted eco-friendly practices, such as using coco-fiber growing medium and paper pots. Our innovative input material with long shelf life has additionally reduced emissions from transportation by an impressive 80% compared to traditional fresh plant shipping. Anticipating the continuous improvement of LED lights, Grönska looks to further reduce CO2 emissions in the years to come.

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How can people connect with you or learn more about Grönska?

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Stay updated with Grönska's innovations and progress by following them on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/11373858) , Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/gronskastadsodling/) , or visiting their website (https://www.gronska.org/) . Join the journey toward sustainable urban farming! 

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