"Our trays are far more than standard plastic sheets. We have developed our modular tooling system so we can offer a high degree of product flexibility," says Lars Wildenschild, CEO at Staal & Plast A/S, a Danish manufacturer of ebb and flow trays.
Controlling the entire process, Staal & Plast carefully selects its raw materials. The sheets are then extruded into three layers, with the top layer specifically engineered to withstand the unique conditions of horticultural production.
A wide and flexible range of products
"Our latest technology and automated production setup for extrusion and vacuum forming make our manufacturing process highly efficient and competitive." This efficiency is a key factor in keeping their products accessible to growers worldwide while maintaining stringent quality standards. The company's modular tooling system makes it possible to offer product flexibility, allowing customers to choose from a wide range of tray sizes or request customized solutions.
Staal & Plast's irrigation trays are designed to support a broad spectrum of plants, making them an ideal choice for diverse horticultural operations. "We see our irrigation trays being used to grow almost all kinds of plants suitable for ebb and flow irrigation, as well as young plant production," Lars says. The trays can also collect water from drip irrigation systems, addressing modern demands for water and nutrient conservation. Collecting excess irrigation water and nutrients is now essential due to higher costs and stricter environmental regulations. The days of letting these resources go to waste are over, Lars emphasizes.
Søren of Queen, a Danish plant grower, emphasized the longevity of their products by stating, "We partnered with Staal & Plast long ago because of their well-known, reliable system, which we trust and know to be of great quality."
Customizable to fit any system
With a wide range of standard sizes available, Staal & Plast ensures that their trays can easily integrate into existing systems. "We can produce almost any tray size to fit the bench size within our modular tooling system," Lars explains. For those requiring special features, the company offers customization options to meet specific needs, such as unique channel layouts or drainage systems.
According to Lars, greenhouse growers are grappling with challenges ranging from root development to drainage and spacing. To address these needs, the Danish manufacturer has developed tailored solutions within their standard tray program. In addition, they offer advanced, customized trays for more specialized requirements. "We've provided numerous high-tech, customized trays equipped with features like vibration atomizers, spray mist systems, various grow media, ventilation, and integrated lighting devices," Lars shares.
Danish grower Søren of Queen affirms, "The trays provide a reliable water distribution, and we trust them to support the healthy growth of our plants. They are highly durable and perform well in the varied conditions we encounter in a greenhouse setting."
Continuous testing
Staal & Plast's extensive product portfolio is the result of 40 years of experience in plant irrigation, with ongoing testing and optimization conducted in their in-house mechanical lab. "Over the years, we have produced a huge variety of special irrigation trays designed to fulfill whatever needs our customers may have had. The bottom line stays: ensuring all our trays meet our standards. Our in-house lab helps us further optimize properties and quality to meet these standards as we can instantly conclude the outcome in changed parameters or material composition," Lars explains.
"In the past forty years," as Lars hints to the fortieth anniversary of Staal & Plast, "our trays have proven their durability over four decades, performing reliably in various greenhouse conditions, from differing humidity levels to temperature extremes and varying light exposures." Besides greenhouses, the trays are also gaining popularity in vertical farms, cannabis cultivation, and even retail markets. "We have growers who are still using trays from when we first started the company 40 years ago," Lars proudly notes.
For more information:
Staal & Plast AS
Lars Wildenschild, CEO
[email protected]
https://staal-plast.dk