Innovative air-to-growth: Koppert Cress sets new standard with DAC technology in greenhouses, backed by Division Q’s Investment in Skytree

Division Q, Koppert Cress’ innovation arm, invests in Skytree’s Direct Air Capture (DAC), reinforcing Koppert Cress’ commitment to lead sustainability in horticulture and become climate-positive by 2026. This collaboration will see Skytree’s DAC technology deployed in Koppert Cress’ greenhouses, extracting CO₂ directly from the atmosphere to stimulate plant growth. This initiative not only advances sustainable horticulture but also solidifies the Netherlands’ positions as global leader in innovative greenhouse technology.

Division Q, responsible for leading and implementing sustainable innovations at Koppert Cress, has announced two strategic investments in Skytree, a leading Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology provider for greenhouse horticulture and other industries—consisting of direct investment in the company, as well as the intention for Koppert Cress to be a launching customer for a Skytree Stratus system for their greenhouses. This partnership underscores Koppert Cress’ unwavering dedication to sustainability and its role as a driving force in horticultural innovation.

Koppert Cress, renowned worldwide for its natural culinary ingredients, aims to achieve climate positive operations by 2026. To realize this goal, Division Q was founded in 2022 to spearhead sustainability initiatives and incorporate technical innovations from greenhouse tech startups. As part of this vision, Koppert Cress intends to implement Skytree’s cutting-edge DAC technology in its new greenhouse in Monster, South-Holland, as well as in its existing greenhouses.

“At Koppert Cress, we firmly believe that horticulture offers many solutions to today’s global challenges. As pioneers in the industry, we are committed to driving innovation and sustainability forward. Horticulture can play a vital role in addressing critical issues such as climate change, energy efficiency, and preventive health on a global scale.”

‍– Stijn Baan (CEO of Koppert Cress)

“The Netherlands is an international leader in innovations for greenhouse horticulture, often with a focus on energy and sustainability. Our mission is to support startups by providing guidance and capital while facilitating practical testing through Koppert Cress. Skytree’s Direct Air Capture system will be integrated into our greenhouses to supply CO₂ sustainably, aligning with our goal of moving away from fossil fuels. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to the fight against climate change.”

‍— Bart van Meurs (Director of Division Q)

Working closely with consultant agency Vijverberg, DivisionQ plans to integrate Skytree’s technology into the Koppert Cress’ energy systems, creating a robust and future-proof CO₂ solution for greenhouse operations.

‍Transforming CO2 supply in greenhouses
Skytree’s DAC systems extract CO₂ directly from the atmosphere to stimulate photosynthesis of plants in greenhouses, boosting crop yield. Extensively tested at Wageningen University Research, Delphy, and Vertify, these Skytree DAC systems are now entering the mass production phase for deployment at greenhouses in the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

‍“While greenhouse horticulture currently depends on fossil- derived CO₂ for optimal crop growth, our technology offers a game-changing alternative. By directly capturing CO₂ from the air at the greenhouse location, we provide growers with long term CO2 supply security at stable price levels. On top of that we enable more sustainable horticulture in The Netherlands and other countries by switching away from fossil fuel CO₂ sources, potentially eliminating many millions of tons of CO₂emitted to the atmosphere by greenhouses annually. We’re very excited that DivisonQ and Koppert Cress are leading the way in revolutionizing how greenhouses can transform into innovative, sustainable ecosystems and we’re thankful for their trust in our DAC technology.”

‍— Rob van Straten (CEO at Skytree)

‍Strengthening the horticulture ecosystem
DivisionQ’s investment in Skytree forms part of a broader Series A financing round that includes contributions from Horticoop, an investment cooperative of 280 Dutch greenhouse growers. Thanks to this collective, the conversations between the horticulture sector and DAC technology providers drive the change towards a sustainable and strategic horticulture system.