3-Climates Technology Catalog
The complete system overview: thermoreflective ETFE membrane, three climate zones, sensor network, water management, crop production, validation, and technical specifications.
Download PDF ↓GERMAN ENGINEERING · TURKISH HORTICULTURAL EXPERTISE · TURNKEY DELIVERY
One greenhouse. Three climate zones. Up to 80% lower energy demand.
Engineered for extreme climates and optimized for every climate. 3-Climates integrates light, heat, air, and water into one coordinated system—delivering stable yields, significantly lower energy demand, and scalable year-round production.
German EngineeringTurkish Horticultural ExpertiseTurnkey Delivery
How It Works
One system for both extremes: Retain heat in winter. Reject heat in summer.
The cross-section shows how photosynthetically active light reaches the crop zone while the thermoreflective ETFE membrane manages radiant heat. Switch between winter and summer operation.
Light and Heat Control Across the System
Layers
Emsdetten · Germany
Our ETFE membranes are welded and fabricated in Emsdetten, bringing material development, manufacturing, and system integration together at one site.
−80%
Potential reduction in heating energy demand compared with conventional greenhouse systems
Fraunhofer UMSICHT · Energy Analysis
>90%
Light transmission across the visible and plant-relevant spectrum
CAE · Spectral Measurement
30–45%
Reduction in solar infrared gain by membrane configuration
3-Climates · System Design
20+ years
ETFE membrane service life under high UV exposure
ETFE · Material Specification
The Business Challenge
Climate now determines whether a greenhouse is profitable.
Extreme solar radiation, high ambient temperatures, and rising energy prices drive up cooling, heating, and water demand. The result: volatile yields, crop stress, and operating costs that are difficult to forecast.
3-Climates addresses heat where it enters—or escapes—the greenhouse: at the ETFE membrane and within the thermally separated air zones. It limits solar heat gain, reduces heat loss, and stabilizes the crop zone with sensor-based control before energy-intensive heating or cooling has to compensate.
The thermal air zones act as multi-stage insulation. ETFE energy screens limit heat loss, smooth day-night temperature swings, and reduce supplemental heating demand.
The thermoreflective ETFE membranes reduce incoming solar infrared before it heats the crop zone, while photosynthetically active light remains available to the plants.
Three Innovations — One System
Three innovations. One system. A measurable difference.
System Visualization
Explainer Film — Membrane, Air Zones, and Climate Control
3-CLIMATES
Innovation 1
Thermoreflective ETFE Membrane
The highly transparent ETFE membrane transmits the light crops need while reducing solar infrared heat gain by 30% to 55%, depending on the thermoreflective coating configuration. Light transmission, UV transmission, and thermal performance are tailored to the climate, crop, and site.
System Visualization
Innovation 2
Thermodynamic Air-Zone Architecture
Multiple thermally separated air layers divide the greenhouse into a thermal buffer zone, a temperature-balancing zone, and the crop zone. Together, they insulate the structure, smooth temperature fluctuations, and protect the growing area from extreme outdoor conditions.
System Visualization
3D Model — Thermal Air Zones and ETFE Energy Screens
Innovation 3
Three-Zone Climate Control and Sensor Network
Sensors track temperature, humidity, CO₂, PAR, UV, and IR. Using real-time data, the three-zone climate control system coordinates energy screens, ventilation, air movement, and fogging before conditions drift out of range. A digital twin supports continuous optimization of the crop-level microclimate, energy demand, and plant development.
Every installation is engineered around local climate data, crop requirements, energy and water availability, and operational workflows. Detailed simulations and project models are provided as part of qualified project development.
- Control Principle Sensor-Based and Predictive
- Climate Model Digital Twin
- Measured Variables Temperature · Humidity · CO₂ · PAR · UV · IR
- Optimization Target Stable Microclimate with Low Energy Demand
- Project Basis Site- and Crop-Specific Design
System Visualization
High light transmission, diffuse light distribution, and a stable microclimate create uniform growing conditions across the entire crop area.
Production · Efficiency · Scale
Predictable production. Lower operating costs. Scalable delivery.
3-Climates is not a single greenhouse component. It is an integrated production system. Climate, water, energy, crop strategy, and automation are engineered together around the site, crop, and business model.
System Performance
Year-Round Production
Stable climate conditions reduce seasonal production interruptions and create the foundation for continuous harvest and delivery programs.
System Performance
Lower Heat Gain. Lower Heat Loss.
The thermoreflective ETFE membrane and thermal air zones limit solar heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter—before active cooling or heating systems require additional energy.
System Performance
Crop Quality and Resource Efficiency
Light, humidity, CO₂, water, and nutrients are controlled at crop level. This supports consistent product quality, lowers plant stress, and enables closed-loop water systems.
Project-Specific Design
Turnkey and Modular by Design
From site and climate analysis through engineering, construction, commissioning, and crop support, projects are delivered in clearly defined modules and expanded after successful operation.
Hot and Arid Climates
Stops solar heat before it becomes a cooling cost.
In hot climates, a large share of the cooling load comes from solar heat entering through the roof and sidewalls. 3-Climates reduces that load at the thermoreflective ETFE membrane instead of relying on mechanical systems to remove the heat after it enters.
The result is not a stand-alone cooling product, but a site-specific system combining ETFE solar-heat control, thermal buffer zones, intelligent three-zone climate control, water treatment, and crop planning.
Independent Validation · Real-World Installations
Built. Measured. Independently evaluated.
Ahlen, Germany — 7,000 m² ETFE Precursor GreenhouseOriginal Footage
Ahlen · Germany — 7,000 m² ETFE Precursor Greenhouse
In 2024, a roughly 7,000 m² greenhouse with an ETFE outer membrane and transparent ETFE day screen entered operation at the Schulze Eckel commercial growing facility in Ahlen. It provides real-world operating data on light conditions, humidity stability, heating demand, and crop response.
Fraunhofer UMSICHT · Energy Analysis
Engineering studies and energy models evaluate the system’s thermal behavior. The analyses indicate substantial potential to reduce heating and cooling energy demand.
CAE · Materials and Spectral Development
Light, UV, and IR measurements are used to evaluate the optical and thermal performance of the ETFE membranes. The results guide coating and membrane configurations for different climate zones.
Geisenheim University · Crop Research
Horticultural research examines how microclimate, light availability, and humidity affect plant development, product quality, and yield.
Additional research, demonstration, and customer installations are being prepared for specific locations. New projects will be announced once planning and partnerships are confirmed.
COP30 · BelémOriginal Footage
3-Climates at COP30 in Belém
At COP30, the 3-Climates technology was presented to international delegations as an approach to climate-resilient, resource-efficient food production. Those discussions continue ahead of COP31 in Antalya.
Research and Development Partners
Fraunhofer UMSICHTEnergy Analysis and System Validation
Center for Applied Energy ResearchCoating and Spectral Development
Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyMaterials and Infrared Research
Geisenheim UniversityCrop Performance Validation
Partner Logo Wall
Our network.
Delivery · Operations · Scale
German engineering. Turkish horticultural expertise. Global project delivery.
3-Climates combines four decades of greenhouse and systems engineering with more than ten years of research into ETFE membranes, climate zones, and intelligent control. The result is an integrated greenhouse system engineered for each site and built to scale in modular phases.
Dolunay Gördüm
Founder & CEO
Corporate strategy, international project development, and strategic partnerships.
Wolfgang Block
Inventor & Technical Director
Technical development of the 3-Climates system and four decades of greenhouse engineering experience.
Matthias Welp
Head of Operations & Delivery
Membrane technology, manufacturing, and operational project delivery.
Muzaffer Gördüm
Head of Sales & Project Development
International sales, customer development, and project coordination.
The core team is supported by experienced specialists in horticulture, crop production, bioponics, automation, and systems engineering, along with German research institutions and international delivery partners.
Documentation · Validation · Commercial Viability
Scientific evidence and project documentation.
Choose the resource that supports your decision: independent research reports, the complete technology catalog, or a concise project and investment overview.
Fraunhofer UMSICHT — Energy Analysis
An independent assessment of system energy performance and the potential to significantly reduce heating and cooling demand compared with conventional greenhouse systems.
Download PDF ↓CAE — Spectral and IR Analysis
Laboratory analysis of the thermoreflective ETFE coating, including light, UV, and IR transmission as well as its thermal properties.
Download PDF ↓Next Step
Site analysis. Custom system engineering. Turnkey delivery.
Headquarters and Development
3-Climates GmbH
Emsdetten, North Rhine-Westphalia
Germany
Gulf Project Development
Manama
Kingdom of Bahrain
Distribution Türkiye
Yalova
Türkiye