All About Plastic Agricultural Greenhouse Films - Applications | Usage | Specifications

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All About Plastic Agricultural Greenhouse Films -
Applications Usage Specifications
Greenhouse film is one of the most important
agricultural films. This Plastic agricultural
film for greenhouse farming is said to be the
main support of protective cultivation and
protective cultivation is the backbone of modern
agriculture by which we are able to fulfil the
increasing demand of cereals, grains, vegetables,
fruits whatever the season and weather condition
is. By this plastic greenhouse film a
controlled environment can be provided throughout
the year for the growth of plant.
In this article, we will discuss in brief about
greenhouse films. We will try to answer some
regular question about benefits, types, and
applications of agricultural greenhouse film, as
well as their impact on the environment.
1. What is Greenhouse film? Greenhouse film is a
type of agricultural film. This is cover for
green house structure
made of plastic used as shelter to the plants
growing inside of it keeping the environmental
balance and protection.
2. What is greenhouse and its uses?
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Greenhouse is a type of house like or cave like
structure covered by glass, polycarbonate or
plastic film in which environment is controlled
in order to help for the enhancement of the
growth of plants inside along with the protection
from the outer side hazards.
3. What is plastic film greenhouse? A plastic
film greenhouse refers a Greenhouse structure,
roofs and sides covered with plastic film made
with polyethylene to control the temperature
inside to protect the plants inside.
4. What is greenhouse film made of? A Greenhouse
film is generally made of 6 mil polyethylene
mostly. Along with this copolymer plastic,
polyvinyl plastic or polycarbonate plastic can be
used. Greenhouse plastic are used to be a type
of smooth plastic, very lightweight but able to
protect the plants. The roof and the sides of
the structure used to be covered by this.
Greenhouse film is a better term of the
plastic used to cover the roof and sides.
5. What does greenhouse film do? Greenhouse film
is a type of cover for green house structure made
of plastic used as shelter to the plants growing
inside of it keeping the environmental balance
and protection. It can suppress the heat by
absorbing or reflecting and decrease the power
consumption up to 20. A greenhouse film is able
to protect a plant from insects and do a great
role in enhancing of flower, vegetable and fruits.
6. Is greenhouse plastic safe? Greenhouse film
is generally UV stabilised that it can withstand
with all weather and outdoor applications. This
is mostly made of virgin polymers. So, this is
far better than normal low-cost poly. Some co
poly or low-cost poly made greenhouse films are
also there available in market. Those low cost
films are good for one season cultivation only.
7. Which polythene is used in greenhouse?
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Polyethylene (PE) is the main type of polythene
that is used to make greenhouse films. This is
used widely because of its wide application, waxy
texture and synthetic behaviour. Moreover, it
has some exceptional mechanical physical
properties like tensile strength, resistance,
toughness, adaptability, economically and shore
hardness.
8. What are the ideal microns for
greenhouse? 150-200 micron is used to be the best
as per thickness for commercial Greenhouse film.
A farmer expects a film to be thick enough too
stretched over the structure properly and stay
strong along with a beautiful transmission of
light.
9. How long does greenhouse film last? One to
Five years approximately, if you are buying the
greenhouse film from a reputed company which is
made of virgin polymer granule and UV stabilised
material. There are low cost films are available
in market as well which is made for one season
crop only. 10. What are the different types of
greenhouse films? By the type of polymer granule
these film age of 3 types. EVA i.e.,
Ethylene-vinyl acetate made, PVC i.e., Polyvinyl
Chloride made and another is the most known PE,
i.e., polyethylene made. By the base of layers
greenhouse films can be discussed as well.7
layered films are the best. Other than that, by
different traits e.g., thickness, transmission,
Diffusion, Thermality, Opacity, Reflectance, Anti
Drip, Anti Dust, 100 UV Block up to, Shade
Factor, UV Life, Colour, Width Tolerance,
Thickness Tolerance, Sulphur Resistance,
Chlorine greenhouse can be segregated by many
types. Those are CLEAR, CLEAR , DIFFUSED, COOL,
ROSA, BLUE, CHROMA, ANTHURA, ECLIPSE
11. What is a 7 layered greenhouse film? A 7
layered film is a premium segment of film which
is specialised for agriculture and packaging.
For 1 mm sq. feet of film, it undergoes within 7
facilities like high-speed extruders, Karl Mayer
wrappers, knitting machines and wide Sulzer and
circular looms etc. to increase the durability
and UV stabilization power. After the
production 2 tier of inspection happens usually
to make it defect free.
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12. What are the others greenhouse films stand
for? These are 7 layered greenhouse films Clear
very less diffusion (below 20) Clear Plus
Less diffusion (30-40) Diffused -Medium
diffusion (60-70) Cool high diffusion
(80-85)
These are speciality greenhouse films Rosa - UV
Blocking films for rose cultivation. Chroma -
UV open films for bi colour rose fruits etc.
Anthura - 15 to 70 shade (hot area / Nursery /
Anthurium/ potted plants) Eclipse Darkening /
Black out films (panda films) Black White or
Black Grifa -special films for cannabis
cultivation Photo selective Blue - special
films for vegetables, fruits and seedling
13. Which is better PE or PVC for greenhouse? PVC
fabric is more durable than PE. As it has higher
tear strength it is able to withstand to any
difficult or extreme weather condition like heat,
wind, ice or rain. Only problem with PVC film is
its less transparency. So that it doesnt allow
more natural light like PE inside of the
structure. But if you are planning for a
long-term PVC is no doubt a good choice.
14. What is the most widely used greenhouse
film? Most widely used greenhouse film is known
as plastic film. This plastic films are mostly
made of PE, i.e., polyethylene. Some other type
of greenhouse films is also available which is
made of EVA i.e., Ethylene-vinyl acetate and PVC
i.e., Polyvinyl Chloride.
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15. Is greenhouse plastic different than regular
plastic? Greenhouse plastic films are far better
than regular plastic films. Greenhouse film is
generally UV stabilised that it can withstand
with all weather and outdoor applications. This
is mostly made of virgin polymers. So, this is
far better than normal low-cost regular plastic.
In outdoor applications or extreme condition
regular plastic is not able to protect and it is
usually destroyed.
16. What is the longest lasting greenhouse
material? Polycarbonate Greenhouse Plastic. A
polycarbonate plastic panel can easily last
for 10 years approx. Though these are thicker and
more rigid that normal polyethylene plastic
films it is enough translucent to pass natural
light to the plant.
17. Which is better for a greenhouse plastic or
polycarbonate? Polycarbonate Greenhouse Plastic
is always better for a good greenhouse
cultivation if you have a good budget for it.
Polycarbonate is thicker, more rigid and durable.
It allows diffusion of light inside the
structure which causes a proper distribution of
natural light for all plants and it can protect
the plants inside by its rigidity. It can easily
last for 10 years. But this is costlier than PE
or PVC films.
18. Can I use plastic wrap for a
greenhouse? Obviously, you can if you are aware
of the quality of the plastic. Domestically we
use plastic as well in kitchen to control
temperature for vegetables. The same physics we
apply for the green house cultivation. Here by
covering the structure with a good plastic we
trap the heat that the temperature inside can be
maintained throughout the year. It helps in
cultivation and plants to grow.
19. What are the properties of greenhouse
film? Some main properties of Greenhouse films
are usually anti dripping, anti-fog, anti UV etc.
To make it brief Films should have high light
transmission and optimum diffusion properties
UV, IR, and Thermal stability Anti-dust
properties to keep clean
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Anti-drip / fog reduction properties for
protection from diseases UV blocking and
Anti-virus effect IR reaction helps in
temperature reduction IR thermic helps to trap
heat inside the greenhouse Anti-Sulphur /
Chlorine properties provide protection against
pesticides Excellent Mechanical strength, tear
resistance, flex crack ESCR increase the life
of the film Reduction of viral and fungal
attacks Reduction of water usage Protection
from biotic and abiotic stress Reduction of
pest attacks
20. How does greenhouse film work? Greenhouse
films play role in Climate control Greenhouse
films are able to create climate for plant growth
throughout the year, with regulated
temperatures, humidity, and light
exposure. Protection from weather elements
Protection from difficult weather conditions,
such as wind, rain, and hail is another point.
Frost damage can be controlled by it. Pest
control Greenhouse films make a barrier to
pests, such as insects and rodents, by using no
pesticides. Water conservation As it prevents
direct interaction of sunlight with soil, water
evaporation decreases. It makes possible less
water and more irrigation. Energy efficiency
Greenhouse films require less energy to heat and
cool than traditional buildings, as they are
smaller and have better insulation.
Applications of Greenhouse Films Greenhouse films
are used in a variety of applications,
including Commercial agriculture Greenhouse
films are commonly used in commercial
agriculture to grow a variety of crops,
including fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They
provide an ideal growing environment and help to
increase crop yields.
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Research and experimentation Greenhouse films
are used in research and experimentation to study
the effects of different growing conditions on
plant growth. This allows scientists to develop
new crop varieties and improve agricultural practi
ces. Home gardening Greenhouse films are also
used by home gardeners to extend the growing
season and grow crops that are not typically
grown in their region. They are also ideal for
growing plants that require specific growing
conditions, such as tropical plants.
Greenhouse films have revolutionized agriculture
by providing a controlled environment for the
growth of plants. They offer several benefits,
including climate control, protection from
weather elements, pest control, water
conservation, and energy efficiency. However,
their production, use, and disposal have a
significant impact on the environment,
contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, plastic
pollution, and resource depletion. To minimize
the environmental impact of greenhouse films,
farmers can use renewable energy, choose
eco-friendly films, reduce waste, and improve
efficiency. In the future, advancements in
technology, sustainability concerns, and changing
consumer demands are likely to shape the future
of greenhouse films. As we continue to develop
new and innovative solutions for agriculture, it
will be important to consider the environmental
impact of greenhouse films and take steps to
reduce their footprint on the planets