Novarbo Oy

This interview details Novarbo Oy, a supplier of fully automated Vertical Farming systems based in Finland. The interview is with Dr. Petri Konttinen, Technical Director, D.Sc. (Tech) of Novarbo Oy.

Source: Novarbo Oy

What is the origin story of Novarbo Oy?

Novarbo Oy, a leading player in the field of sustainable greenhouse technology and growing media, traces its roots back to 2010. Founded as a subsidiary of the esteemed Biolan Oy, a family business established in 1974, Novarbo's inception was deeply influenced by the legacy of Biolan. Biolan has been a trailblazer in Finland's circular economy, setting the stage for Novarbo's mission of environmental sustainability.

Our journey began with a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, environmentally conscious products and solutions to meet the evolving needs of the industry. In addition to Vertical Farming solutions, we specialize in organic fertilizers and eco-friendly substrates like wood fiber and Mosswool®. Furthermore, our recently updated heat recovery system is designed to capture and reuse waste heat from indoor farms and greenhouses, cutting down on energy usage.

Source: Novarbo Oy

 

What are some of the biggest challenges facing Novarbo Oy in the future? 

Vertical farming faces a challenge in emerging to a market where traditional greenhouse horticulture thrives and attains world record-breaking yields. This challenge is heightened by Finland's highly advanced greenhouses, making the case for vertical farming adoption a bit challenging. Especially leafy vegetables should be produced by means of vertical farming at these latitudes, as it is proven to be significantly more energy efficient.

Our wood fiber and sphagnum moss growing substrates outshine peat in terms of environmental benefits and long-term ecological impact. The transition is underway, but it won't happen overnight. One of the central challenges lies in educating both growers and consumers about the environmental advantages of Novarbo's approach, bridging the knowledge gap, and emphasizing the positive environmental impact of our solutions.

Source: Novarbo Oy

 

What is unique about Novarbo Oy compared to competitors? 

Our unique position is defined not only by our legacy and diverse sustainable solutions but also by our role as a one-stop hub, providing a comprehensive range of eco-conscious innovations capable of reshaping the industry. We are committed to collaboration, fostering partnerships with national research institutions, and actively engaging in development projects. Our endeavor to excellence shines through in our achievement of the RHP standard for our substrates, reinforcing our dedication to delivering the highest quality.

Source: Novarbo Oy

 

What is the current size of your growing area? 

Novarbo is a supplier of fully automated Vertical Farming systems. We have a small production unit for research and product development, where we have tested over thirty different herbs and other leafy greens so far. Since 2018 we have cultivated diverse crops with a keen emphasis on performance optimization, employing resource-efficient strategies, including automation in our research facility. We also focus on the synergies between production facilities and the surrounding infrastructure for smart energy management.

We examine through industrial-scale facilities all the way to the level of industry promotion. Our container-based solution for educational and research institutions provides a versatile platform for training and crop experimentation, representing our contribution to knowledge dissemination and innovation within the vertical farming domain.

 

Source: Novarbo Oy

Do you use CO2 in your operation today -- if so, how much and what do you pay for it? What are your thoughts in CO2 usage in indoor farms? 

We are exploring the utilization of CO2 in our operations to enhance the growth of crops in a controlled indoor environment without wasting it. While specific details on the quantity and costs of CO2 usage are not available at this moment, we are dedicated to integrating this resource in a responsible and cost-effective manner by utilizing industrial side streams as an example.

Source: Novarbo Oy

 

Energy is a big topic in indoor farming right now. How much do you pay for electricity (kWh)? Is it mainly from the grid or renewables?

Our energy consumption and its sources are integral aspects of our sustainability initiatives thus we only buy renewable energy from the grid. We are committed to optimizing our energy usage for efficient and environmentally responsible operations throughout the business group.

Source: Novarbo Oy

 

How can people connect with you or learn more about Novarbo Oy?

Email: sales@novarbo.fi  

Website: https://www.novarbo.fi/en/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/novarbo-oy/

Source: Novarbo Oy

Asia Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"For a target audience that is trying to understand the basics of vertical farming, this is a quality newsletter to subscribe to"

- James Pateras, CEO, Modular Farms Australia

North America Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download The Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"The North America Vertical Farming Companies Report 2023 aggregates many sources of public information on many different companies so that you don't have to do the research yourself, it's worth the money and saves a lot of time"

- John Ireland, CEO, NTP Technologies

Europe Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Helen Andrew Spare Harvest

"As a business development manager supporting the indoor agriculture, CEA, and food tech industries, I can say Urban Vine guides and their insider newsletter provide detailed information often difficult to find online."

- Irena Lundberg, CleanTech Invest Stockholm

Middle East Vertical Farming Companies: The 2023 Report

Download the Free Sample Report

Mark-Horler

"As a marketing professional in the indoor agriculture industry, Urban Vine's newsletters, reports and guides are an excellent resource for keeping up-to-date with news and developments in vertical farming."

- Steven Mitchell, Product Manager, Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) UK

All Indoor Farming Company Interviews

Archisen Singapore

May 24, 2023

This interview details Archisen, an indoor farming company based in Singapore. The interview is with Vincent Wei, Co-Founder of Archisen. To learn more about Archisen and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Urban Farming Partners Singapore

May 24, 2023

This interview details Urban Farming Partners, an indoor farming company based in Singapore. The interview is with Grace Lim, Co-founder / Catalyst / CEO at Urban Farming Partners. To learn more about Urban Farming Partners and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

CleanGreens Solutions SA, Switzerland

May 24, 2023

This interview details CleanGreens Solutions SA, an indoor farming company based in Switzerland. The interview is with Bruno Cheval, CEO of CleanGreens. To learn more about CleanGreens and other indoor farming technology companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Tridome Structures

May 12, 2023

This interview details Tridome Structures, an indoor farming company based in Canada. The interview is with Edward Thompson, Director of Innovation at Tridome Structures. To learn more about Tridome Structures and other indoor farming technology companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Dutch Greenhouse Delta

July 14, 2023

This interview details Dutch Greenhouse Delta, an indoor farming company based in Netherlands. The interview is with Mirjam Boekestijn, General Manager of Dutch Greenhouse Delta. To learn more about Dutch Greenhouse Delta and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

GoodLeaf Farms Canada

May 11, 2023

This interview details GoodLeaf Farms, an indoor farming company based in Canada. The interview is with Barry Murchie, CEO of GoodLeaf Farms. To learn more about GoodLeaf Farms and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Gaia Project Australia

May 31, 2023

This interview details Gaia Project Australia, an indoor farming company based in Australia. The interview is with Nadun Henneyaka, Founder & CEO of Gaia Project Australia. To learn more about Gaia Project Australia and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Vivent Switzerland

May 15, 2023

This interview details Vivent Switzerland, an indoor farming company based in Europe. The interview is with Carrol Plummer, CEO of Vivent Switzerland. To learn more about Vivent Switzerland and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

Herbivore Farms Philippines

May 11, 2023

This interview details Herbivore Philippines, an indoor farming company based in Philippines. The interview is with Robin Kwee, Head of Operations/Consultant of Herbivore Philippines. To learn more about Herbivore Philippines and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview

9Growers India

May 15, 2023

This interview details 9Growers, an indoor farming company based in India. The interview is with Himanshu Aggarwal, Co-Founder & CEO of 9Growers. To learn more about 9Growers and other indoor farming companies, click on this link!

View Full Interview