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Bom Group to Build High-Tech Research Centre for Wageningen University & Research in Bleiswijk
In Bleiswijk, Wageningen University & Research’s Greenhouse Horticulture business unit (WUR) is once again setting the standard in the international greenhouse horticulture sector. WUR, renowned worldwide for its agro-food research, is commissioning the construction of an ultra-modern research centre of 8,700 m² by greenhouse builder Bom Group. The complex will become the new epicentre of horticultural innovation. Today, Monique van Wordragen (Business Unit Manager Greenhouse Horticulture at WUR) and Rob de Wit (Commercial Manager at Bom Group) officially signed the contract for the project. From the end of next year, new technologies and sustainable solutions will be developed at this location to future-proof global food production.
Designed by Van Bergen Kolpa Architects, the new research centre will be built adjacent to WUR’s existing greenhouse complex on Violierenweg in Bleiswijk. In addition to the extensive research greenhouses, it will include welcoming reception spaces. Naturally, the building will be sustainable, featuring solar panels and a heat pump system with underground thermal energy storage. Construction is set to begin shortly.
Research into the Greenhouse Horticulture of the Future
In the research centre, WUR scientists and students will immediately be immersed in what the future of sustainable greenhouse horticulture looks like, using the latest technologies such as smart climate control, AI-driven cultivation systems, and innovative lighting concepts. The centre will host numerous research projects annually and serve as a testing ground for innovations that can be scaled globally if successful. It will also offer a unique learning and research experience in a high-tech environment for students of programmes such as Plant Sciences and Biosystems Engineering. “With this new facility, we can further strengthen our international leadership in horticultural research,” says Monique van Wordragen. “This is where we will find groundbreaking solutions to complex issues around food security and sustainable production.”
Partnership Behind a Prestigious Project
Bom Group, part of Atrium Agri, is the main contractor for the entire complex and is responsible for both the greenhouse construction and the overall project management. The company is collaborating with partners Smiemans Projecten and PB tec to ensure that the full construction will be delivered turnkey by 2026. Bom Group has previously built several state-of-the-art research greenhouses for WUR, including the ‘Winterlight Greenhouse’, ‘KAS2030’, and the Estidamah complex in Saudi Arabia. “The research centre in Bleiswijk is a remarkable project we’re already proud of,” says Rob de Wit. “The fact that Bom Group is entrusted with building the most advanced greenhouse of our time to support the smartest minds in our industry in advancing horticulture — that’s incredibly prestigious. WUR choosing us is a testament to our quality and expertise.” Smiemans Projecten is responsible for constructing the reception building, which will feature a striking entrance and multiple meeting and workspaces surrounding a central hall. PB tec will handle all water and electrical installations, including the control technology for all 24 research departments. A Hoogendoorn IIVO process computer will be installed to manage all components. The independently controllable compartments will feature advanced systems, such as semi-closed units with streamlined dehumidification and fully automated irrigation.
