CambridgeHOK has announced its support for a project aimed at sustainably growing cotton in an indoor environment.
As specialists and a UK leader in the design and build of high-tech indoor growing systems, CambridgeHOK was approached by Hull-based Gooddrop to partner in the project which aims to grow the 'most sustainable cotton ever created.'
The idea stemmed from the challenges faced in cotton growing in a world where drinking water is increasingly in short supply.
Typically grown in warmer climates such as China, India, Brazil, Pakistan, and Turkey, the current cotton growing processes use around 7,000 – 10,000 liters of water per single kilogram of cotton grown, and large amounts of pesticides and herbicides are also required.
The project has been developed by horticulture specialists at CambridgeHOK, led by Horticultural Applications Advisor Matt Ware.
After an extensive period of development and testing, the first containers have been completed and delivered to Gooddrop on-site at the University of Nottingham's Sutton Bonington campus.
"This has been a unique and exciting project for us to be approached for and involved in and we are delighted that Gooddrop came to us because he was aware of our expertise in the indoor growing sector," said Mr Ware. "It has been a challenge, but we like a challenge at CambridgeHOK."
Patrick Harte, joint managing director of CambridgeHOK, said: "We take it as something of a badge of honor that people come to us for help on groundbreaking projects like this. It is a project we are very excited about and will be a great story to follow."
Source: CambridgeHOK