Toshiba launches into the "vegetable factory"

Toshiba announces add a new activity to its health department: vegetable production, without pesticides, in a aseptic plant.

Toshiba Corporation, at its plant of Yokosuka, during the installation, will produce vegetables (lettuce, spinach, young shoots, mizuna, cabbage) about 2 000m2, providing an output of 3 million heads per year (equivalent lettuce) and annual sales of 300 million yen (2.2 million euros).

The system of vegetable production is based on the production of semiconductors, in which Toshiba has experience in local sterile conditions. Fluorescent lighting whose wavelength is optimized for plant growth, air conditioning systems that maintain a constant temperature and specific humidity level, tools to monitor the growth distance.

The aim is to is to foster plant growth and to minimize the entry of germs and thus limit the resulting damage (lack of freshness, reduced storage). Toshiba estimates that demand in the Japanese market is consistent, and thus will offer healthy vegetables, grown with careful control of their environment.

In order to increase sales in this new venture, Toshiba plans to build a large-scale plant outside of Japan and the sale of equipment for the same plant in a few months.