BASF | Nunhems Expands Lettuce Breeding Capabilities with Automated Greenhouse in the Netherlands
New facility in ’s-Gravenzande aims to accelerate variety development for high-tech teen leaf lettuce production
13 October 2026, Dutch: BASF’s vegetable seeds business, operating under the Nunhems® brand, has completed a new automated greenhouse facility at its breeding station in ’s-Gravenzande, the Netherlands. The investment is designed to strengthen lettuce breeding capabilities, support innovation in high-tech cultivation systems and address the growing demand for teen leaf lettuce varieties.
The new greenhouse automation system expands the station’s existing breeding infrastructure, enabling researchers to evaluate more breeding material while using fewer seeds. By generating larger and more robust datasets earlier in the breeding process, the facility is expected to support more informed selection decisions and accelerate the development of improved lettuce varieties.
“The high-tech lettuce market continues to grow, and innovation remains essential to stay ahead,” said Peter Does, Product Developer at BASF | Nunhems. He added that the investment would strengthen the company’s ability to develop and select new varieties for one of the fastest-growing lettuce segments worldwide while responding more quickly to growers’ evolving requirements.
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New Facility Targets High-Tech Teen Leaf Lettuce Production
The greenhouse will focus on high-tech teen leaf lettuce, a segment experiencing growth as growers increasingly adopt controlled-environment production systems and high-density cultivation methods.
BASF | Nunhems has been involved in the development of this segment since its early stages, working with pioneering growers to develop varieties suited to the specific requirements of advanced indoor production systems.
The company’s Finstar and Arcticstar varieties reflect its breeding expertise in this area and are used by growers seeking to optimise performance in some of the world’s most advanced indoor lettuce production facilities.
’s-Gravenzande Strengthens Role as Lettuce Innovation Hub
The investment further strengthens the position of the ’s-Gravenzande breeding station as BASF | Nunhems’ dedicated centre for lettuce breeding and product development.
According to Does, the additional capacity will allow breeders to assess more genetic material and identify promising selections earlier in the development process. This is expected to support the faster development of improved varieties and enhance the efficiency of bringing new products to market.
The greenhouse has already been planted with its first crop and is expected to be showcased to customers and visitors in the coming period.
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