Spais greenhouses in Sicily

Brianza Plastica's Elysol compact polycarbonate sheets for Spais greenhouses in Sicily are durable and transparent

When building greenhouses for growing flowers and vegetables, it is crucial to choose materials that guarantee structural strength, high resistance to chemical and atmospheric agents, and excellent transparency.

For this reason, Spais Fiori di Acate (RG), a historic company in Ragusa specialising in greenhouse cultivation of flowers and vegetables for both domestic and international markets, had no hesitation when it came to maintaining and modernising its facilities.

In 2022, Spais started renovating some of its greenhouses, selecting Elysol compact polycarbonate sheets manufactured by Brianza Plastica to serve as the transparent roofing material for its Italian facility in Ferrandina (MT).

The decision to opt for polycarbonate over materials such as PVC films or sheets was primarily motivated by the desire to attain the highest level of transparency in order to maximise the productivity of the different crops grown within the greenhouses.

Moreover, due to their geographical proximity to the sea, the buildings frequently endure strong winds and corrosive salt in the air. In such conditions, Elysol sheets demonstrate excellent resistance to atmospheric elements, including strong gusts of wind and heavy rainfall. Elysol sheets offer better protection for greenhouse crops compared to plastic films. They are stronger and can help prevent crop loss in certain situations. Its surface is UV-protected and highly resistant to impacts. The sheets also have good fire performance (Class B-s1, d0), maintaining their properties over a long period of time.

Easy installation and maximum transparency

Elysol sheets have excellent transparency, allowing natural light to enter the greenhouses evenly and pleasantly, which promotes optimal plant growth. Elysol sheets with a 76/18 corrugated profile were used for both the roof and side walls. The assembly process was very quick due to the lightweight nature of the material, making it easy to handle,  and to the precision of the profile, which seamlessly adapts to the structure. The outer side of the UV protection features a detachable adhesive strip that helps identify it for correct installation.

The extremely low weight of the sheets makes them easy to cut and lay, even for non-specialists. It's important to observe a few simple laying precautions, such as overlapping the waves or ribs laterally and ensuring a minimum overlap of 120 mm along the entire length. An important detail is the size of the hole for the fixing screws. Use a drill with a diameter of at least 3 mm larger than the screw in order to accommodate any thermal expansion of the sheet.

Giovanni Alfano, owner of Spais, expressed great satisfaction with the successful outcome of the work and quick installation, which allowed for the rapid cultivation of the flowers and vegetables. The investment in this long-lasting roof contributes to maximising production effectiveness, as well as providing effective irradiation and protection for the crops.