The world is changing fast. Maybe uncomfortably fast, given how precarious sustainability has become.
Global populations are expanding, especially in urban areas, and with global food demand rising, traditional farming methods are being reimagined. Vertical farming is a technique that uses vertically stacked layers of grow trays, in controlled indoor environments. It offers a modern solution to meeting our ever-increasing demand for food.
This novel approach minimises land use and maximises yield, providing a glimpse into a more sustainable future of food production. And polythene, with its versatility and adaptability, plays an essential role in making vertical farming possible.
The need for vertical farming
As cities grow, farmland becomes scarce. Food deserts are already widely documented in developed nations, even in national capital cities – because the logistics of transporting fresh produce to urban centres adds challenges. Vertical farming addresses this by bringing agriculture to the consumer – growing food within or near city centres.
While conventional farming requires large tracts of land and is limited by seasonal changes, vertical farming provides the ability to produce fresh, nutrient-dense crops all year-round – regardless of climate or space constraints.
But how?
Polythene’s role in urban vertical farming
Polythene film and sheeting have long supported traditional agriculture. Polytunnels, for example, are an essential tool for controlled, protective growing environments. Similarly, vertical farming uses polythene for insulation, light management, moisture management, and containment – essential in an urban context, where resources and space are at a premium.
Polythene sheeting in vertical farming can manage temperature and humidity, creating a balanced micro-environment where happy plants can grow strong, fast – a far cry from the busy, concrete environment outside.
Just as polytunnels protect crops in traditional farming, modified and miniaturised polytunnels can also function in vertical farming. Outside, polythene sheeting acts as a barrier against pests, diseases, and extreme weather conditions. In vertical farming, where environmental consistency is vital, polythene’s barrier properties ensure that each layer of the farm has the precise conditions needed for growth. This becomes more noticeable in a vertical setup, because heat rises – and so does water vapour. Keeping it all in check takes lots of measurement and control.
Aquaponics and hydroponics
Vertical farms often rely on innovative techniques like aquaponics and hydroponics systems that replace soil with nutrient-rich water.
Here, polythene offers significant advantages. In aquaponic systems, polythene liners can be used to create water reservoirs and channels, which support the dual growth of plants and aquatic animals (typically fish, but crustaceans, too). Polythene is inert, unreactive, and food-safe. This prevents contamination, so that the water remains safe for both the plants and the fish.
In hydroponics, where plants are cultivated in nutrient-rich water rather than soil, polythene’s waterproof qualities are invaluable. It’s often used to line and reinforce tanks, channels, and trays, creating a stable environment that’s resistant to leaks and contamination. This versatility makes polythene an ideal material for hydroponic and aquaponic setups, ensuring a reliable infrastructure that supports healthy plant growth.
Learn more about polythene in aquaculture
Environmental and economic benefits
Vertical farming promises some pretty substantial environmental benefits: less water usage, reduced food miles, minimal chemical input… And polythene supports these benefits by contributing to a more sustainable and economically viable operation.
Polythene is a brilliant insulator, and this can reduce energy costs, and its durability means fewer replacements and less material waste over time. Using black polythene sheeting or coloured, semi-opaque material can help optimise growth cycles and temperatures.
Urban farmers can customise polythene films with varying levels of transparency, thickness, and reflectivity – allowing them to adapt the environment for specific crops. This level of customisation helps increase efficiency and variety, and reduce waste in the production process. This makes vertical farming more sustainable, and offers farmers new revenue streams with different crops.
A look to the future: polythene as a catalyst for sustainable urban farming
As cities continue to grow, so will the need for urban food sources, making vertical farming an essential part of future food systems. Polythene, with its adaptability and affordability, will continue to be a critical resource in this shift, supporting innovations that bring food production closer to the people. By enhancing light management, water use, and environmental control, polythene helps vertical farms achieve more with less, paving the way for a greener, more self-sustained urban landscape.
Custom-made, food grade polythene
Talk to the polythene experts at NPF Packaging, and design your own custom, food grade polythene for agricultural use. Enquire online to get a quote now, or call us on 01773 820415 to find out more about our manufacturing and design process.
