Smart alternative to hanging gutter system in light greenhouses

At cucumber nursery Van Der Waal in Zevenhuizen, a new solution from Metazet was recently installed that makes it possible to still use an efficient gutter system in a lighter greenhouse construction. Because the greenhouse was not strong enough to support a traditional hanging gutter system, Metazet devised a practical alternative together with the customer: special supports that carry the system without having to modify the greenhouse construction.

Cost-saving alternative
“Normally, a grower in such a situation would have to reinforce the greenhouse structure, which requires a substantial investment. With these innovative supports, this is not necessary,” explains Fred Odenkirchen, account manager at Metazet. “The supports provide stable support for the gutters, without putting additional strain on the greenhouse itself. This system gives growers an affordable and efficient way to still use a gutter system.”

“At Metazet, we always look at the customer’s specific situation. In this case a standard solution was not possible, so together we looked for a way to still achieve a well-functioning system where stability and easy cleaning were the starting points. Of course, the cost price was not forgotten and we developed a very usable support.”

An additional advantage of this system is that it allows for easy cleaning at crop changeover. The supports are removed while the (empty) gutters remain suspended in the Suspension, which is also intended for the growing tube, so that the cultivation floor can be easily cleaned and re-covered.

Rollout at Cucumber Growers Van Der Waal and Fitterstee Growers
At Van Der Waal this solution has now been successfully installed on 8 hectares, and the first experiences are very positive. Also at Fitterstee Growers, they have now applied it on a 1 hectare project.

Metazet has developed the system entirely in-house. The supports, suspension materials for the growing tube are custom made, with engineers ensuring accurate calculations and seamless execution. This creates a solution that is not only practical and efficient, but also perfectly suited to the grower’s specific needs.

This text previously appeared in Vegetable News dated Feb. 17, 2025