The Life Farmitank vertical farming project has officially wrapped up, marking a significant milestone in the realm of sustainable agriculture. After several years of real-world execution between 2021 and 2024, the technology has been launched onto the market, showcasing its technical feasibility and substantial environmental and socio-economic benefits. The European Commission agency, CINEA, has evaluated the results, paving the way for this innovative technology to make a tangible impact on the agricultural landscape.
Farmitank, developed by Parcitank S.A., is a groundbreaking vertical farming technology designed to tackle the current and future challenges of agriculture. The system consists of cylindrical stainless-steel tanks, each measuring 6 meters in diameter and up to 18 meters in height. These tanks can accommodate up to 400 square meters of cultivation spread over 30 layers, all within an area of less than 40 square meters. This compact design allows for the simulation of optimal and constant environmental conditions, maximizing resource efficiency in water and energy usage.
Cristian Nieves, the R&D head of Parcitank, highlighted the project’s success in demonstrating the advantages of vertical farming. “Thanks to Life Farmitank, we have shown the benefits of vertical farming, a market that is still in its early stages but has immense potential. This project has allowed us to achieve the necessary technological maturity for system replication and market launch. We are confident that this business model will create new market opportunities and enhance sustainability and vegetable supply globally.”
The Life Farmitank project aimed to validate this vertical farming solution in a real-world environment. Collaborating with leading companies such as Florette, which handled the operation and cultivation trials, and CNTA, responsible for result analysis, the project has proven its efficacy. Over a year and a half, cultivation trials were conducted on various varieties of lettuce, aromatic herbs, and microgreens. These studies led to significant improvements in processes and procedures, achieving optimal production.
Javier Les, Florette’s director of quality, sustainability, and innovation, emphasized the project’s relevance in addressing future challenges. “This project has allowed Florette to explore a new, innovative production system that can fit into a future marked by overpopulation and climate change. Evaluating these systems is crucial for producing food with minimal resource consumption and close to consumption areas, ensuring quality and food safety.”
The Farmitank system has demonstrated remarkable efficiency and sustainability. Compared to conventional agricultural techniques, it achieves up to 90% water savings, higher production quality without pesticides or herbicides, a lower carbon footprint, improved product quality, and extended shelf life. Additionally, Farmitank reduces energy consumption, increases production yield, optimizes investment costs, and minimizes risks compared to common vertical farming systems.
One of the standout features of Farmitank is its cylindrical design, modularity, and scalability. The use of reflectors and a central elevator inside the tank allows for easy accessibility to all cultivation levels, optimizing labor times. Eva Petri, a researcher at R&D&i CNTA, explained, “The Life Farmitank project has shown the value of implementing a new vertical farming business model aligned with the EU’s priorities on the environment and resource efficiency. Growing in a controlled, monitored, and managed environment provides safety to producers, ensuring programmable production and minimizing water, energy, and labor costs without compromising plant quality.”
Currently, Parcitank’s business plan focuses on selling small and medium-scale equipment, enabling customers to test the technology with minimal investment. This approach allows for employee training, yield analysis, and business plan validation before scaling up. The modular nature of Farmitank allows it to be scaled to meet specific customer needs, with a maximum height of 18 meters.
As the agricultural industry continues to evolve, technologies like Farmitank offer a promising solution to the challenges of sustainability, resource efficiency, and food security. With its proven benefits and innovative design, Farmitank is poised to make a significant impact on the future of vertical farming. For more information, interested parties can contact Life Farmitank via their provided details.
