Photo courtesy of GreenTech
GreenTech Amsterdam 2025 features educational sessions led by industry leaders and innovators, providing information on the latest horticultural technology.
The Produce Grower preview includes some of the programs, which are based on GreenTech's 2025 central theme, "Passion." For the full list of programs, visit GreenTech Amsterdam’s website.
GreenTech Amsterdam 2025 schedule:
- Tuesday, June 10: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 11: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, June 12: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10
Remarkable Trends in AI & Robotics
Time: 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Vision Stage
This session explores how robotics and AI are transforming sectors such as healthcare, aviation and logistics. Carlo van de Weijer offers an inspiring glimpse into the future, followed by a closer look at Dutch innovations with insights from NextGen. Finally, attendees will hear directly from growers as they share their needs, challenges and what they expect from smart technology in the greenhouse.
The session delves into the promise and challenges of AI, offering an honest look at the rough edges of a developing technology. These imperfections, rather than polished demos, are where real innovation begins.
Speakers: Carlo van de Weijer, general manager at Eindhoven AI Systems Institute; Gabriël van der Kruijk, global innovation manager enabling technologies at Koppert
Global Food Security: Sustainable Collaborations by the Netherlands
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Vision Stage
In this session, sustainable collaborations around global food security will be highlighted, with examples such as the partnership with Kazakhstan. Jan Kees Goet will explain the role of the Netherlands in global food security, focusing on the Dutch Diamond, which represents the collaboration among government, business, academia and civil society.
Speakers: Richard Harrison, managing director of the Plant Sciences Group at Wageningen University; Annie van de Riet, president of AVAG; Rien Komen, board chair of Aeres
From Crop Expertise to Data-Driven Cultivation Management
Time: 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Data & Tech Stage
This session explores the science of crop modeling and its practical application in data-driven crop management. The speakers will cover usable growth models and how growers can benefit from them by improving decision-making and enhancing crop management efficiency.
Speakers: Klaas van Egmond, manager at Delphy Digital; Max van den Hemel, cultivation engineer at Delphy Digital; Maarten van der Meer, researcher at Wageningen University
Climate Change: How to Mitigate Extreme Weather Events
Time: 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Location: Vision Stage
Horticulture faces mounting pressure from extreme weather due to climate change. This session explores how to adapt greenhouse design, production methods and crop strategies to build resilience. Topics include growing in arid regions, preparing for climate extremes and the potential role of genetic innovation in securing sustainable yields. Discover how the sector can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
Speakers: Athanasios Sapounas, researcher at TNO; Jorik Bremer, director of sales at Hudson River Biotechnology
Innovations in Crop Intelligence: From the Roots to Crop Yields
Time: 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Location: Data & Tech Stage
This session focuses on advanced automation in plant and pest monitoring. Speakers will discuss Plantalyzer, a tomato monitoring robot for harvest forecasting, automated seedling root quality inspection in tissue culture and automated pest species detection in greenhouses. These technologies enable scalable, efficient monitoring for improved crop management.
Speakers: Franck Golbach, researcher at Wageningen University; Aneesh Chauhan, researcher at Wageningen University; Erik Pekkeriet, researcher at Wageningen University
Wednesday, June 11
New Crop Opportunities
Time: 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Crops/VF Stage
This session looks ahead to the future of AI-driven crop breeding, innovative strawberry cultivation from seed and turn-key solutions for efficient strawberry farming. It will conclude with a deep dive into hop production in vertical farms, highlighting the potential of controlled environments for sustainable and high-quality yields.
Speakers: Johanna Bac-Molenaar, plant health researcher at Wageningen University; Vera Theelen, researcher at Delphy; Joost Scholten, soft fruit cultivation engineer at Delphy
British Columbia: A Thriving Hub of Agritech Innovation Bridging Continents
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Deep Dive Stage
British Columbia is a thriving hub of agricultural technology, driven by a dynamic ecosystem of government, industry and academia. This panel, moderated by the minister of state for trade and featuring the minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, will highlight BC’s position as Canada’s second-largest hub for CEA and its deep-rooted collaboration with the Netherlands.
Speakers: Rahul Singh, director of British Columbia Centre for Agritech Innovation; Rupert Potter, managing director for British Columbia Trade & Invest Office; Rick Glumac, British Columbia minister of state for trade; Diana Gibson, British Columbia minister of jobs, economic development and innovation
Growing Confidence: International Success Stories of Vertical Farming
Time: 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Location: Crops/VF Stage
This session explores the growing confidence in vertical farming through international success stories. Speakers will share insights on scaling operations, improving product quality and achieving market success in different countries. Case studies include Supernormal Greens’ expansion in Sweden, innovations in shelf-life extension from Norway and a notable success story from the UK. The discussion will also cover the future of fresh produce and the next generation of vertical farming.
Speakers: Reinier Wolterbeek, chief product officer at ONNA Greens; Erik Lundgren, co-founder and chief research and development officer for Ljusgårda; Roel Janssen, head of business development for Planet Farms; Tom Webster, chief technology officer of GrowUp Farms; Tisha Livingston, CEO of Infinite Acres
World Horti Center HortiHealth: Growing Health & Happiness
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Vision Stage
The horticulture sector is more than a producer of food and flowers — it’s a key player in building a healthier society and planet. The HortiHealth Stage brings together growers, researchers, policymakers and businesses to accelerate the food transition and promote public health.
With rising rates of obesity, diabetes and chronic illness, the urgency is clear. At the same time, the shift toward plant-based, fresh and unprocessed food is gaining traction. Horticulture holds the solutions — now is the time to link them to prevention and wellbeing.
This 60-minute session, led by World Horti Center and health partners, will showcase initiatives such as the Food Boost Challenge, The New Lunch Culture, EatThis programs with healthcare professionals and Health Cafés connecting food, health and innovation.
Speakers: Natasja van der Lely, health program manager at Greenport West-Holland; Ed Smit, founder of EatThis; Wendy Scholtes-Bos, researcher at Medical Delta
Growing Coffee in the Netherlands: A Bold Experiment
Time: 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Crops/VF Stage
Climate change threatens global coffee production. HAS Green Academy, De Koffiejongens and InnoGrowers are launching the first Dutch coffee plantation in a greenhouse. This session explores how local coffee cultivation reduces CO₂ emissions, creates new opportunities for growers and supports sustainable coffee farming.
Speaker: Alex van Klink, lecturer and horticulture adviser at HAS Green Academy
Thursday, June 12
Research Meets Innovator
Time: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Location: Data & Tech Stage
"Research Meets Innovator" is a dynamic gathering designed to bring together horticulture researchers and innovative companies.
The event will begin with a welcome by GreenTech and short presentations from the two winners of the Innovation & Concepts Award. Following this, there will be speed-dating sessions where innovators and researchers engage in brief, focused conversations. A networking coffee break will follow, providing an opportunity for deeper discussions and connections.
Speakers: Lien Bosmans, research manager for Research Centre Hoogstraten; Felix Tarrats, CEO of Ceickor; Roel Van der Bruggen; Els Berckmoes, researcher for Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt; Rik Clymans, research coordinator of greenhouse vegetables at Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt; Jacqueline van Oosten, program manager at Wageningen University; Eric Poor, manager of improvement centre at Delphy
How to Cultivate Crops in New Growing Media
Time: 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Data & Tech Stage
This session covers biochar in tomato cultivation for improved soil health and RHB growing media hygienics for clean and sustainable growing conditions.
Speakers: Joseph Stoenner, rootzone dynamics and sensing researcher at Wageningen University; Nedeljko Basic, portfolio management director at Kekkilä-BVB; Alexander van Tuyll, researcher in circular greenhouse horticulture at Wageningen University
Greenhouse of the Future
Time: 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Vision Stage
The growing global population, energy transition and climate change demand a new generation of greenhouses. In this session, TNO and Wageningen University & Research will present their vision on adaptive and autonomous greenhouse systems. Learn how cutting-edge research and innovation are shaping the future of sustainable, efficient, and resilient horticulture.
Speakers: Egon Janssen, greenhouse horticulture manager at TNO; Ilias Tsafaras, greenhouse technology researcher at Wageningen University; Henry Gordon-Smith, CEO of Agritecture
Complex Knowledge, Simply Understood
Time: 11:20 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
Location: Deep Dive Stage
The horticultural sector is rapidly evolving. Driven by upscaling, labor shortages and the need for sustainable production, growers increasingly rely on advanced technologies such as automation, data analytics and robotics. Yet this digital transformation brings a new challenge: how can complex knowledge be transferred to employees on the ground — clearly, consistently and at scale?
This is where AI makes the difference. By digitizing and structuring expertise, artificial intelligence enables personalized, on-the-job learning that accelerates skill development, reduces errors and ensures that knowledge is scalable across teams.
DigiVation enables the horticultural sector to turn complex technical knowledge into clear, scalable digital instructions — empowering teams to work smarter, faster and with greater confidence.
Speaker: Sjaak Bakker, founder and owner of DigiVation
CO2 Sources of the Future
Time: 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Location: Vision Stage
New technologies enable the capture and temporary storage of CO2, as well as extraction from the atmosphere. With the energy transition, these new CO2 sources are essential for optimal plant production. Learn more about these new sources in this session.
Speakers: Laleh Hosseini, senior manager of strategic development at Green Gas & Liquids Process Solutions; Janneke Grit, scientist, Wageningen University & Research Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture; Gert Jan van Staalduinen, chief technology officer for Logiqs, Ot Messemaker, senior manager of strategic development for Skytree