Twenty-six modules comprising the CubicFarm System, a patented system from CubicFarm Systems Corp. for growing leafy greens and other crops indoors year-round, will feature cold-formed steel (CFS) framing as the modules preferred framing material.
CubicFarm Systems Corp., a British Columbia, Canada, based firm, signed an agreement with NTE Discovery Park Ltd. for the 26 CubicFarm System modules at $4.4 million, as well as the future manufacturing of major components for contracts within North America.
“Building and operating vertical farms in Western Canada has a dual purpose of providing communities with better access to delicious fresh food year-round without importing 90% of it over long distances, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of food delivered to consumers,” said John Tang, Chief Executive Officer, NTE Discovery Park.
NTE Discovery Park will feature cold-formed steel (CFS) framing for the construction of the CubicFarm System modules in Campbell River, British Columbia. Photo Credit: CubicFarm Systems
Cold-Formed Steel Provides Key Advantages for CubicFarm Modules
As the North American manufacturing partner of CubicFarm Systems, NTE Discovery Park will feature CFS framing for the construction of the CubicFarm System modules installed at Discovery Park in Campbell River, British Columbia.
CFS leads the way as the preferred framing material for modular structures for multiple reasons.
CFS is:
- A pre-engineered material that can be cut to exact lengths
- Dimensionally stable and does not expand or contract with changes in moisture content
- Lightweight compared to wood and concrete
- Resilient and will not warp, split, crack or creep when exposed to the elements
- Sustainable and 100% recyclable
- Durable and has a high tensile strength
- Non-combustible and is a safeguard against fire accidents
Crop Motion Technology
CubicFarms is reinvigorating the vertical farming industry with technologies that are setting in motion the next agricultural revolution. The CubicFarm System controlled environment agriculture technology grows commercial scale amounts of fresh produce in modular, food-grade steel systems using the Crop Motion Technology™ moving plants throughout the system using less water, land, energy, and labor.
Vertical Farming Market: $24 billion by 2030
In 2020, the global vertical farming market was estimated at $3.2 billion and is expected to reach $24 billion by 2030.
The growing focus on reducing labor costs for farming is driving the growth of the market, according to Technavio Research. Manual labor is needed on-site only for planting and packaging crops.
The cost of access is one of the major costs associated with farming. The cost required for laborers to spend on the farm for walking, riding scissor lifts, retrieving growing channels and checking the crops can be reduced with the help of vertical farming technologies.
CubicFarm System said it expects to provide an additional 100 modules in the near future as Discovery Park expands, and the market for indoor farming technology grows.
The global vertical farming market is expected to reach $24 billion by 2030. Photo Credit: CubicFarm Systems
Agreement Mitigates Supply Chain Constraints
Supply chain delays adversely impacted the delivery and installation of CubicFarm System modules during the ongoing global pandemic, says CubicFarms. The manufacturing agreement with NTE Discovery Park, however, will mitigate supply chain constraints, allow increased efficiencies and foster new Farmer Partner installations for larger commercial scale commitments.
“We’re excited about operating the CubicFarm System and diversifying our operations by manufacturing major hardware components, installing CubicFarms’ impressive indoor farming technologies, and localizing fresh produce for communities in B.C.,” Tang said.
Article cited by BuildSteel