Designing Smarter, More Sustainable Greenhouses

Make informed decisions backed by real data

At Van der Hoeven, we use Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to help growers, investors, and stakeholders design greenhouse systems that are efficient, future-proof, and environmentally responsible.

Our approach to LCA is based on the Fresh Produce Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (FreshProducePEFCR), a standardized European framework that ensures credible, comparable assessments of environmental impact across the horticultural sector.

LCA evaluates the full lifecycle of greenhouse systems, from raw materials to construction to operation to end-of-life, and quantifies their impact across key categories such as energy use, water consumption, material footprint and resource efficiency.

Our Commitment: Integrating LCA in Greenhouse Projects

At Van der Hoeven , we believe sustainability must be measurable. As a frontrunner in the Dutch high-tech greenhouse industry, we can actively integrate Life Cycle Analysis into our project development to ensure our greenhouses deliver not only maximum efficiency but also minimal environmental impact.

By adopting LCA, we’re building a future of transparent, data-driven food production, supporting climate goals, regulatory compliance and client sustainability targets.

Aerial view of Dvineripe glasshouse built by Van der Hoeven in Australia

What Makes Van der Hoeven’s LCA Unique?

Our LCA covers every stage of the greenhouse lifecycle:

Extraction and manufacturing of raw materials
Transport of greenhouse components
Construction and assembly of the greenhouse
Operational use: energy, water, CO₂ input
Use of seeds, substrates, and fertilizers
Harvesting, packaging, and first distribution
Final phase: end-of-life and material recycling

Our analysis is grounded in real construction and operational data from our own projects, making our insights more accurate, actionable and aligned with real-world conditions.