Benefits of the Microgreens Aeroframe
The fully automated aeroponic growing system is specifically designed to optimize the growth of microgreens, ensuring maximum yield and quality. From substrate filling and sowing to harvesting and mixing, the process is entirely automated, ensuring that the plants remain untouched by human hands, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and consistency.
Unmatched Productivity
The unique Aeroframe platform leverages three-dimensional frames to double the cultivation area per unit of floor space. This innovative design enables up to 2x the productivity compared to traditional flat systems, maximizing the use of available space and significantly increasing output.
Seamless Retrofits
The Aeroframe system's modular design allows for seamless integration into existing greenhouses. It adapts to various bay dimensions and grower workflows, making it an ideal choice for retrofitting facilities without extensive modifications. This adaptability ensures that growers can upgrade their operations with minimal disruption.
Enhanced Profitability
With higher plant density and optimized use of climate control systems, the Aeroframe system lowers per-plant costs, boosting profitability. By efficiently utilizing resources, growers can achieve higher margins and better return on investment.
Superior CAPEX Efficiency
Offering competitive pricing coupled with high productivity, the Aeroframe system delivers the best CAPEX per tonne of microgreens produced. This efficiency translates into the highest ROI among commercial growing systems, making it a smart investment for serious growers.
How the Microgreens System Works
1. Microgreen Boards
Micro green boards are customizable to your needs and are adapted to different heights. Standard dimensions.
- 60 cm width, 140 cm height; Growing area 0.64 m2, example 1.45 kg micro Arugula per cycle (7 days)
- 60 cm width, 160 cm height; Growing area 0.73 m2, example 1.65 kg micro Arugula per cycle (7 days)
- 60 cm width, 170 cm height; Growing area 0.78 m2, example 1.78 kg micro Arugula per cycle (7 days)
Compatible growing medium: peat, silicone, organic mat, rockwool.
Microgreen boards are made from highly durable HDPE, featuring honeycombed rectangles designed for optimal root penetration and support.
Microgreen boards are equipped with RFID antennas to track each board and manage the production of different microgreens as well as ensure full traceability.
2. Substrate & Sowing
fillers are designed to pack microgreen boards with peat, pre-sliced rockwool into the plant boards or lay silicone/organic mat.
After medium filling or mat layment, the sowing machine seeds directly into the microgreen boards. The plants will stay in the same microgreen board throughout the entire growing process. A typical sowing line consists of multiple vibrating seeders that are capable of handling different shapes and sizes seeds. These seeders are mostly standard machines used in automated or semi-automated microgreen seeding lines.
Microgreen board management
Once sowing is complete, the plant board is transported into the germination room. This task can be manual or automated, based on client requirements.
3. Germination
Conveyor belt moves microgreen boards into the greenhouse (under glass) and delivers the board to the required Aeroframe row.
4. Growing
When microgreen boards arrive to the required Aeroframe row, they are tilted to a 60° angle with pneumatic arms and are pushed onto the Aeroframe system.
Our unique Aeroframe system is equipped with mobile aeroponic irrigators that travel and spray plant roots with required irrigation intervals.
Typical intervals for microgreens: 3-6 seconds spray, 14 min rest and oxygenation.
Because of intervals, irrigators can travel 40-60 meters inside the Aeroframe structure, depending on substrate. For a 100 meter-long row, 2 irrigators will be used. Aeroponic sprayers use Freya’s unique ultrasonic technology, which is very low energy, does not require high pressure, produces 50-100µm droplets and completely uncloggable. As a result, all aeroponic liquid is recirculated.
Aeroframe system has sliding boards, which means your plants will travel through the greenhouse to the harvesting end based on your cropping/growing intensity. Therefore, up to 2x growing area can be created per greenhouse floor.
Airflow & humidity management is also better due to plants at an angle.
5. Harvesting
6. Microgreen board cleaning
Other operational aspects
Irrigation
Plants are irrigated and fertigated automatically by Freya’s Mobile Irrigators. These powerful irrigators travel in accordance with irrigation intervals and disperse nutrient-rich mist.
Irrigators are completely uncloggable and utilize proprietary ultrasonic sprayers. High flowrates, durability, low maintenance and full connectivity with the FreyaOS platform will quickly let you forget about these mobile machines travelling within the Aeroframe structures.
Light Matters
Freya’s Aeroframe system is designed to optimize natural sunlight exposure, with angles that ensure excellent sun penetration. For retrofitted greenhouses, we strategically adjust Aeroframe placement to maximize sunlight, while turnkey greenhouse projects will benefit greatly from engaging us during the planning phases.
Additionally, we collaborate with leading lighting partners to provide highly effective artificial lighting solutions, which are no more expensive than typical top lights for horizontal systems. Our approach guarantees that plants receive the optimal light necessary for growth, whether through natural sunlight or advanced artificial lighting.
Mixing of microgreens
The Aeroframe system features an integrated microgreens mixing station after the cutting machine. It mixes different plant varieties based on pre-programmed settings, ensuring the precise number of boards are harvested without under- or over-harvesting. Configurations can be adjusted daily, allowing for diverse blends. The station includes conveyors to transport mixed microgreens to the packing area efficiently.
Supply of Growing Medium
For rockwool systems, the Aeroframe setup involves periodically loading pre-cut mats into the medium filling machine. For loose mediums, the system includes a bale breaker replenished with large bales, ensuring a steady supply and consistent production.
Pilot the Aeroframe
Discover the new level of productivity our cutting-edge Aeroframe platform. Explore piloting the Aeroframe to and evaluate its potential for retrofitting your existing facilities. Click here to start transforming your cultivation practices today!
Technologies behind the Aeroframe
Explore the proprietary technologies and methodologies that enable the Aeroframe cultivation platform
Core technologies
Deployment options
Modernize an existing Greenhouse
Retrofitting an existing greenhouse allows you to almost double your productivity without building a new facility. You will be able to 2x your revenue, 3x your EBITDA – all while spending 40-60% less than building a new greenhouse. Phased installation is possible.
Deploy the Aeroframe in a new Greenhouse
Choosing the Aeroframe platform for your turnkey greenhouse is the most economically viable choice – you will produce your target output while using 40-50% less real estate, and will generate an EBITDA 50% higher than using any NFT system. Moreover, your time to market is reduced.
