Greenhouse herb grower Gourma has implemented a fully controlled and adaptable lighting environment using an LED lighting solution from Montreal-based Sollum Technologies.
Sollum says the collaboration enables Gourma to tailor lighting conditions to the needs of its herbs, influencing key factors such as morphology, color and flavor.
The Saint-Norbert, Québec-based Gourma offers 25 potted herb varieties, including nine that are certified organic, distributed to retail produce sections at grocers throughout the province. In early 2023, Gourma undertook a major brand repositioning, doubled its production area and shifted focus to innovation.
“Adopting a new lighting technology is a major strategic decision,” Gourma President Charles Verdy said in a news release. “After visiting greenhouses already equipped with Sollum’s solution, we were convinced by how quickly and easily light can be adjusted in real time. This level of flexibility and precision aligns perfectly with our vision of innovation and food autonomy.”
Gourma’s previous lighting system was replaced with Sollum’s LED fixtures, managed via Sollum’s proprietary cloud-based platform, Sun as a Service, which is fully integrated with the greenhouse’s control systems. This solution allows Gourma to simultaneously manage different lighting strategies and easily program production zones to meet the requirements of its various herb varieties, the release said.
“We’re thrilled to be working with a forward-thinking company like Gourma that shares our values and commitment to sustainable, innovative agriculture,” said Kassim Tremblay, vice president of strategic accounts at Sollum Technologies.
“This partnership reflects the growing recognition of the unique advantages of our solution, and we’re eager to see the results in the field,” he added.
