With the growing emphasis on organic and locally grown food, hydroponic farming is gaining significant momentum in many countries. According to recent reports, the global hydroponics industry is predicted to reach $35.4 billion by 2030, with an estimated CAGR of 15.6% from 2023 to 2030. And it is speculated that population growth, reduction in farming lands, and the accelerating climate crisis will further demand an increase in hydrophobic farming to meet the demand of the markets. 

PVC Panels are essential elements in a hydrophobic facility as they are instrumental in building a setup that can endure exposure to moisture without deteriorating. PVC Panels are versatile and can be used for different applications in a hydroponic facility. Moreover, these panels help build efficient Grow Room interiors that promote plant growth and ensure a healthy yield. Installing PVC Panels also help in creating a controlled environment inside the farms with optimized temperature and humidity settings. Trust Duramax for your business and connect with our experts for professional guidance. 

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Hydroponic farming! A sneak peek

As a method of growing plants without soil, with added nutrients in a liquid or solution, hydroponics is known to have its roots way back in ancient Babylon and the Middle East. Like any indoor plant cultivation, hydroponic farming, in many cases, relies on a controlled environment. In fact, when practiced in a controlled environment, hydroponic systems can be designed to support better crops and higher yields throughout the year.

Factors to consider for hydroponic facilities

As more and more consumers across the world are taking to healthy and clean eating, restaurants are embracing hydroponics — mainly in the form of vertical walls — to grow their own vegetables. But one of their biggest concerns is to be able to control the expenses involved with hydroponic farming.

Besides factors like temperatures, pH levels, lighting, and nutrient density, there are further considerations aimed at increasing yield and production. One of them is to ensure hydroponic facilities are built using materials that are highly resistant to moisture, can meet structural demands, and don’t react with the nutrient solution.

Therefore, when it comes to choosing the right wall material for hydroponic facilities or grow rooms, there are four fundamental things to keep in mind:

• Cost-efficiency
• Water resistance
• Impact resistance
• Non-reactiveness

Traditional panels absorb moisture, creating a damp, stinky, and contaminated environment that could retard plant growth. However, PVC Panels can be an ideal choice as they are completely moisture-resistant and versatile for use. Using PVC Panels does not adulterate the food products or pose any risk for people who consume them. Moreover, being chemical resistant, these panels do not react to chemical exposure in a hydroponic setup.

Duramax’s PVC wall panel ticks off all the boxes, and that’s why it has clear advantages over other materials. Let’s see how.

Duramax PVC Walls Vs. Other Options for Hydroponic Facilities

Traditionally, concrete, glass, stainless steel, and wood have been used in grow rooms and hydroponic structures, while fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) is a commonly used material in warmer southern climates. However, all of these materials don’t completely take care of the four fundamentals we discussed above.

Concrete is only good as long as it doesn’t come in contact with the nutrient solution — which, if happens, will change the pH of the solution. Stainless steel is non-toxic but not entirely non-corrosive, which makes it unsuitable for long-term hydroponic applications. Glass is prone to breakage, and also, the initial installation is quite expensive. Wood is notorious for absorbing water, so it’s not a good option either.

While FRP overcomes most of these issues, it still falls behind in one area — it requires a backer made of OSB, plywood, or drywall, which makes it susceptible to moisture adsorption and the formation of molds over time. Also, FRP incurs higher material and installation costs due to the presence of a backer. FRP is also susceptible to impact damage and requires expensive maintenance and frequent repairs or replacements. 

Duramax’s 100% virgin PVC panels are highly durable, impact and chemical resistant, and offer guaranteed protection against moisture. It even beats other plastic and vinyl options due to its best-in-class panel structure, where the thickness of the panel is combined with unique inner webs for outstanding strength — no backer needed!

Plus, Duramax’s tongue-and-groove interlocking design makes installations nearly 4X faster and 2X more economical than FRP. The modern interlocking mechanism helps achieve a smooth and seamless surface that offers impressive light reflectivity, beneficial for photosynthesis and plant growth. 

In short, Duramax PVC panels will:

• Withstand moisture and chemicals better than any other option
• Create superior non-reactive structure
• Outlast other materials by decades
• Offer fast, easy, and cost-effective installation
• Provide bright white surface and a seamless, reflective finish that maximizes indoor lighting

If your goal is to achieve a robust, resilient, and low-cost structural material for use in hydroponic facilities, choosing Duramax PVC can make a world of difference in output and performance while enabling you to enjoy significant cost savings.

Call 323-991-7507 for more details! Visit the website for a free sample.