What is a semi-closed greenhouse?

A semi-closed greenhouse combines limited natural ventilation with active climate control. Mechanical ventilation, controlled air intake and air treatment allow temperature, humidity, air movement and CO₂ to be managed more precisely than in a traditional greenhouse.

For large-scale horticultural growers and investors, this provides greater control over growing conditions and makes production less dependent on changing outdoor conditions. The result is a more stable and predictable growing environment.

Why are semi-closed greenhouses becoming more important?

Large-scale horticulture faces increasing pressure to produce efficiently while reducing the use of energy, water and other resources. At the same time, changing climate conditions make greater control over the greenhouse environment increasingly important.

Important challenges include:

• Rising energy costs;

• Stricter sustainability requirements;

• Limited availability of CO₂ sources;

• Increasing pressure on water use;

• More variable outdoor growing conditions.

A semi-closed greenhouse helps address these challenges by providing greater control over the greenhouse climate while reducing energy losses.

Greater control over the greenhouse climate

One of the main advantages of a semi-closed greenhouse is the ability to manage the growing environment more precisely.

In a traditional greenhouse, valuable heat and supplied CO₂ can be lost through open roof vents. In a semi-closed greenhouse, air can be actively treated and distributed throughout the greenhouse, helping to create more stable growing conditions.

For the crop, this means:

• Fewer climate fluctuations;

• More uniform crop development;

• Better humidity control;

• More efficient use of CO₂;

•  A more consistent growing environment .

Energy-efficient and future-proof

Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important in greenhouse horticulture. Semi-closed greenhouses can reduce energy losses by limiting the need for natural ventilation and making better use of controlled air treatment and dehumidification.

They can also be combined with sustainable energy solutions such as geothermal energy, heat pumps, waste heat and thermal energy storage systems.

 By retaining more control over heat, air and CO₂ inside the greenhouse, growers can use available resources more efficiently while maintaining the desired growing conditions. 

Stronger crops, fewer external influences

A semi-closed greenhouse uses controlled airflow and positive pressure. This helps reduce the influence of diseases, pests and other external factors on the growing process.

A more stable cultivation environment also supports biological crop protection and sustainable growing strategies. Together, these elements help create more controlled conditions around the crop.

KUBO's Ultra-Clima® semi-closed greenhouse

KUBO applies semi-closed greenhouse technology in Ultra-Clima®, a proven greenhouse concept that has been implemented across a wide range of climate zones worldwide.

Ultra-Clima® combines mechanical ventilation, air treatment, dehumidification and intelligent climate management. More than 700 hectares of Ultra-Clima® greenhouses have now been realised globally.

The concept is designed to give growers greater control over the greenhouse climate while using energy and CO₂ efficiently. This supports stable growing conditions across different climates and locations.

Want to know more about the effect of semi-closed greenhouse technology on production? Read how semi-closed greenhouses can support higher yields and more predictable production →

When is a semi-closed greenhouse relevant?

A semi-closed greenhouse can be relevant for projects where greater control over climate conditions, energy use and resource efficiency is required.

The suitability of the concept depends on factors such as local climate, crop, greenhouse design and available energy sources. This is why the greenhouse and climate system need to be considered together.

Sources & further reading

Want to learn more about semi-closed greenhouse technology? These sources provide additional technical and scientific background:

• Design, Control, and Performance Aspects of Semi-Closed Greenhouses – Agronomy
  Peer-reviewed research on climate control, energy use, ventilation, water efficiency and crop protection in semi-closed greenhouses.

• Ultra-Clima® greenhouse – KUBO
  More information about KUBO's semi-closed greenhouse concept, including climate control, energy efficiency, CO₂ use and worldwide applications.

• The Next Generation Semi-Closed Greenhouse – Wageningen University & Research
  Research into dehumidification, heat recovery and sustainable energy use in semi-closed greenhouse systems.