In 2025, Richel Group completed the construction of a new high-tech Venlo greenhouse in Melsungen, Germany, for aromatic herb producer Hessen Kräuter. Built around a state-of-the-art aeroponic cultivation system, the facility enables highly efficient, year-round production of fresh herbs.
To support this, Light Science Technologies (LST) was appointed to design, supply and implement a fully integrated LED grow lighting solution. The objective was not only to optimise conditions for basil, but to ensure consistent performance across a wider range of aromatic herbs, within an environment where precision is critical.
Aeroponic systems offer clear advantages, suspending plant roots and delivering nutrients via a fine mist to increase oxygen exposure, accelerate growth and improve crop quality. They also reduce water usage significantly—up to 95% less than traditional field cultivation. However, these benefits depend on tightly controlled environmental inputs, with lighting playing a central role.
LST developed a bespoke, high-efficiency LED spectrum tailored primarily for basil, while remaining effective across multiple herb varieties. The system was designed to deliver uniform light distribution across both production and nursery areas, with dimmable control fully integrated into the Priva climate computer. This enables lighting levels to respond dynamically to changing conditions.
The greenhouse was commissioned in autumn 2025, with initial crops planted shortly after. Throughout the winter, production trials were conducted under full LED conditions, validating both the aeroponic system and the lighting performance in a live commercial setting.
What sets this project apart is the alignment between design expectations and real-world outcomes. In many greenhouse installations, a drop-off in performance is expected when moving from modelled designs to operational conditions.
In this case, LST’s lighting design translated into real-world performance with minimal variance. Results closely matched the original modelling, providing confidence in system accuracy and long-term reliability. For the grower, this supports more precise planning of crop cycles, yield and operational efficiency.
As the system has matured, Hessen Kräuter has successfully established production across a full range of aromatic herbs, delivering high-quality, nutritious crops to the German market throughout the year.
“We have invested heavily in the latest technology and growing with aeroponics, like any new system, needs to be learnt and fine tuned. I am happy to say we are now growing a full variety of high quality, nutritious herbs for our customers in Germany.”
Eike Boysen, Managing Director of Hessen Kräuter
This project demonstrates the value of accurate design and reliable implementation. By bridging the gap between modelling and real-world performance, LST enables growers to adopt advanced cultivation systems with greater confidence, reduced risk and more predictable outcomes.
