Sun Master GreenHouse Films

Sun Master® greenhouse films combine long life time, superior strength, and high light transmission with optional characteristics that transform the film to an active contributor to plant protection, growth, and productivity.

Such useful features are:

  • Film Lifetime
  • Superior Strength
  • Light Transmission
  • Thermic Effect
  • Disease Control Effect
  • "Cooling Effect"
  • Anti-Mist Effect
  • Anti-Drip Effect
  • Light Diffusion

Lumite has a unique flexibility in combining the above features according to the climate of an area, the kinds of crop grown, the type of greenhouse, and other specific factors, to form tailor-made films that are best suited to each customer's requirements. In addition, the minimum lot size per product for each dimension (thickness/width) in order to produce a tailor-made film is the smallest among large international agri-film producers, making it possible for our customers to minimize stock keeping and reduce their operating cost.

Lifetime

The lifetime of a film depends on the quality and technical characteristics of the film and on the conditions of use:

  • Area
  • Greenhouse type
  • Installation
  • Agrochemical use

Lumite greenhouse films include products with a lifetime of up to 5 seasons, containing special combinations of UV-stabilizers and antioxidants that protect them from the harmful effect of UV light and heat for very long periods. All additive concentrates are manufactured in-house, to ensure absolute consistency in quality. UV-stabilizer formulations are based on the company's 35 years experience and know-how in this field, that is why Sun Master® greenhouse films are known to always last longer than they are prescribed for.

Sun Master® greenhouse films are protected with one of the following systems of UV-stabilizers:

  1. Selected HALS* + UV-absorbers
  2. Selected HALS + UV-absorbers + co-stabilizers for improved resistance to agrochemicals
  3. Ni-quencher + UV-absorber
  4. Special chemical resistant HALS + UV-absorbers
  5. Choice of the best UV-stabilizing system depends, mainly, on the cultivating habits and the use of agrochemicals

* HALS: Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers

Superior Strength

Lumite represents Plastika Kritis located on the Greek Island of Crete. Plastika Kritis’ experience and careful selection of raw materials, processing conditions, and quality control procedures provide the film excellent mechanical strength.

A new generation of super-tough films has been introduced by Plastika Kritis in recent years using special high-strength polymers. These films offer additional safety in areas with very strong winds, or significant economy as they can be produced at a lower thickness than regular films while maintaining the same or still higher strength.

Light Transmission

High light transmission is an absolute essential to plant growth. Experience in production, quality of equipment, and selection of materials ensure that Lumite films have the maximum light transmission.

Thermic Effect

LUMITE offers special 3-layer thermic films containing a combination of EVA and Infra-Red additives skillfully structured in the 3 layers. These additions absorb the Infra-Red radiation and reduce heat losses throughout the night.

The advantages of thermic films are:

  • Protection from frost and low temperature
  • Smoother temperature drop and higher night temperatures overall
  • Reduced energy consumption for heating
  • Higher crop yield
  • Earlier harvesting
  • Better quality of crops

    • Cooling Effect

    In many areas of the world there are growing requirements for films to cut-down excessive heat during the day-time in order to maintain a cooler environment in the greenhouse. Particularly in natural or immitated tropical environments, the "cooling effect" is an ever-present demand for shadow-loving ornamentals.

    Lumite offers special types of films, which reflect and/or absorb the Near Infra-Red (NIR) Radiation, the part of solar spectrum carrying most of the heat entering a greenhouse in day-time. Thus reducing the heat inside the greenhouse during the day. It has been demonstrated that the higher the outside temperature, the larger is the temperature difference achieved by use of "cooling" films.

    Our range of "cooling" films includes:

    1. High diffusion films
    2. Our special double-effect "silver" film (cooling during day, more thermic during night)
    3. Selective interference" films

    Note: After cold winter nights, temperature rise in the morning may be a little slower under "cooling" films than under conventional PE films.

    Anti-Drip Effect

    Droplets formed at the inside surface of greenhouse films due to water-condensation have negative consequences on plant quality and growth, as they reduce light-transmission by 15-30% and increase the incidence of certain diseases.

    Lumite is supplying "anti-dripping" films that contain special additives which eliminate droplets and form instead a continuous thin layer of water running down the sides.

    Anti-dripping films, when used properly, offer the following benefits:

    1. More light in the greenhouse
    2. Higher crop yield
    3. Earlier harvesting
    4. Better quality of crop, higher commercial value
    5. Fewer diseases
    6. Reduced need for pesticides

    Important note: Anti-dripping films are mainly recommended for well ventilated and/or heated greenhouses, with adequate inclination of the roof. The "anti-dripping" effect lasts for up to 2 years, as the additives function by migrating to the surface of the film and are slowly washed out by water. Under certain circumstances there is mist (fog) formation in greenhouses covered with anti-dripping films. Such mist usually occurs at sun-set and dawn and is undesirable as it could cause damages to plants. It is strongly advisable to ventilate and/or heat the greenhouse immediately to remove this mist. Due to the complex mechanism of its activity and to the variety of parameters affecting its function, Lumite does not provide a warranty nor assumes any liability on the effectiveness and duration of the anti-dripping effect.

    Anti-Mist Effect

    To allow the use of anti-dripping films, with all their benefits, without fear of the mist (fog) that is sometimes formed during dusk and dawn in greenhouses covered with such films, we have developed anti-dripping films with a special anti-mist function that reduces or prevents the formation of mist.

    Note : Due to the complex mechanism of its activity and to the variety of parameters affecting its performance LUMITE does not provide a warranty nor assumes any liability on the effectiveness and duration of the anti-mist effect.

    Light Diffusion

    Light from the sun passing through a greenhouse film and entering a greenhouse is split into direct and diffused. Light diffusion causes a film to look hazy to human eye-this does not mean, however, that the film is less transparent. The PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) received by plants is the same.

    It is accepted that diffused light has a positive effect on plant growth, especially for spring and summer crops, and in areas with strong sunlight.

    Light diffusion reduces shadows, which ensures more uniform distribution of light in the greenhouse so that it reaches even the lower parts of the plants. Additionally, it prevents burnings and offers a moderate cooling effect.

    Lumite has the know-how and produces films with more or less diffusion, according to the specific requirements of each area and crop:

    1. Crystal clear films with very low diffusion (maximum direct light).
    2. Films with medium diffusion
    3. Films with very high diffusion

    The choice of the most appropriate level of diffusion depends on the climate of the area, the crop, and the season(s) of growing. Plastika Kritis' experts are available to our customers to consult on the most suitable level for every particular case.

    Disease Control Effect

    We have developed a range of special disease control films that reduce the use of pestisides, and highly contribute to "Integrated Pest Management."

    Important types of disease and insects control films are "UV-blocking" films, which absorb UV-radiation up to 390 nm, thus achieving:

    1. Reduction of the population of whiteflies, thrips, miners, aphids and other insects in greenhouses, thereby also reducing the viruses which are vectored by these insects.
    2. Control of the spread of certain diseases (such as botrytis), by reducing the sporulation of the relevant pathogenic fungi.
    3. Reduction of "blackening" of red rose petals, thereby increasing their commercial value.

    Note:“UV-blocking” films should be used after prior testing when bumble-bees are used as pollinators or when growing eggplants or other purple flowers or crops. A number of other parameters, such as temperature and humidity, enhance the development of diseases. The plastic film alone may not control diseases, it can, however, contribute to their control, when used in conjunction with other suitable methods.

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