The new fleece range should last for at least two seasons

The new fleece range should last for at least two seasons

Crop Solutions is expanding its range to include two leading brands of fleece, Agryl® and Novagryl®.

Crop Solutions’ managing director Ian Campbell told FPJ he is “delighted” to be able to supply the new range of high-quality fleece.

“To some people the definition of a good fleece is one that is cheap, will last a season, will not tear and will not end up in the neighbour’s trees,” he said. “But apart from not tearing, a good fleece should have strong uniform fibres, high thermal properties, extremely high air and water permeability and low shade values. These are the most important characteristics that provide earlier harvest dates, improved plant health and increased yields.”

For years the UK fleece market has been driven purely on price, said Crop Solutions, which is now encouraging customers to try its new high-quality fleece, which should increase grower margins by improving crop performance and lasting more than one season - which in turn will reduce landfill charges.

“The standard Agryl in 19g upwards should, in normal conditions, last for two seasons, delivering huge savings to growers,” said Campbell.

A grower in France recently reported that he managed to get five seasons out of Novagryl which he bought in 2003.

“The grower had only used the fleece for six to eight weeks each season but, given the total time period involved, he said that it was still an amazing achievement for a non-woven fleece to last so long,” said Campbell.

“I challenge growers to put it to the test and compare this high-quality fleece against what they are currently using, just to see if they can gain an extra season and save costs.”

To supply the new fleece brands, Crop Solutions has teamed up with Fiberweb - the first non-woven company in the world to produce agricultural fleece and a global leader supplying more than 40 countries.

“By joining forces with Fiberweb we are able to bring more than 25 years of technical expertise and innovation to all our customers,” said Campbell. “We can now offer a full range of fleece suitable for all customers, including those who grow under glass to those who grow near the coast where conditions are most extreme.”

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