The consortium is organized and managed by Cultivators, together with the Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt (PSKW) in Belgium, one of Europe's leading applied horticultural research centers. It unites key technology leaders, breeders, and system specialists, including Rijk Zwaan, Enza Zaden, Hortiplan, Signify, and Ellepot, combining expertise across genetics, lighting, substrates, systems engineering, climate, and irrigation. Supporting partners include LetsGrow.com, Ammerlaan Construction, Svensson, Roam Technology, JB Group, and Delgeco
Advancing precision in hydroponic leafy production
The LHC focuses on optimizing hydroponic production systems for a wide range of leafy crops, from baby leaf and teen leaf lettuce to spinach, rucola, corn lettuce, and full head varieties such as Little Gem, crunchy, and iceberg. Research covers crop performance, irrigation strategies, substrate selection, lighting, and overall system design.
For Grodan, involvement in this kind of independent research is a natural part of how we work. In high-tech hydroponic cultivation, performance depends on how precisely the root zone can be controlled. Contributing to research that examines substrate behavior, irrigation accuracy, and system design helps us generate the knowledge growers need to build clean, consistent, and high-performing growing systems.
Stone wool's inert nature and structural uniformity make it particularly well suited to the demands of hydroponic leafy production, enabling full control over nutrient input from the initial wetting onward, supporting uniform germination, and delivering repeatable results across successive cultivation cycles.
From research to real-world application
The first cultivation trials are already underway at PSKW in early 2026, with major infrastructure upgrades in progress to create one of the most advanced hydroponic leafy research compartments in Europe. Findings will be shared at key industry events, including GreenTech Amsterdam and the Leafy Hydroponics Summit in June 2026.
We look forward to contributing to this platform and sharing what we learn with growers worldwide.
For more information about the consortium, visit the Leafy Hydroponic Consortium webpage.
