Aponix extended the NFT idea into the 3rd dimension with their vertical barrel

The Aponix vertical barrel is a new concept that facilitates setup of high-density growth spaces for soil-less production by taking the NFT concept to the 3rd dimension in a very flexible and stunningly simple way. Especially for urban farming facilities operating on limited space this will be a real game changer.

It all starts with a central lego-like 1/6th-piece that can be assembled into ring segments, and ring segments that can be stacked at variable height into a barrel adding more grow spaces with increasing height. Rising from a solid base and sealed with a lid including a sprinkler for irrigation on the top, many barrels can be connected and integrated into a production area. No need for rack structures or tables, standard lighting or sunlight from the top. Plant density for leafy greens and herbs starts at an average of 100+ grow spaces per square meter. Example: One barrel with 14 ring segments and a height of 2.4 meters provides 168 grow spaces using less than 1 square meter space. The diameter of the barrel is 57 centimeters and for each ring segment 12 additional growth spaces are added. Irrigation from the top remains the same for any height of the barrels.

The idea is to have very robust, compact and simple parts which integrate smoothly into the daily routines of planting, maintenance and harvesting in medium-sized urban farming facilities – applying lean processing principles.

After 2 years of development and testing the serial production of the 2nd generation of the barrel parts will be ready in Nov 2016, manufactured in Germany with the highest material quality possible. The new parts incorporate a number of improvements for professional users and research facilities using the barrels in their facilities.

For more information on the aponix vertical barrel please visit http://www.aponix.eu or follow aponix.eu on https://www.facebook.com/aponix.eu. Contact: Marco Tidona – hello@aponix.eu.