Polydome Arkna - SME Instrument Phase 1 - resource efficient Eco-innovative food production and processing
Polydome Arkna is a newly created company with the purpose of realising a 1-ha Polydome in Arkna village, Estonia. Its vision is to provide a wide variety of fresh produce, grown sustainably for the Arkna Eco-Park and for Estonian consumption. Polydome, developed in 2011 by Except Integrated Sustainability, is an innovative, agricultural system producing high quality food efficiently, while creating environmental benefits, and caring for human and animal welfare. Polydome Arkna focuses on selling fresh, local and organic food year-round. The demand in this market segment is steadily growing. Moreover, Estonians are willing to pay a premium price for locally produced food. The combination of the Arkna bio-local brand and efficient production by using locally available resources give Polydome Arkna a strong competive advantage. Moreover, competition for bio-local produce is low in Estonia.
For the physical design of the Polydome, a standard Venlo-type greenhouse is chosen. The greenhouse has three different heights to allow the optimal height for different crops. The visitors center and restaurant offers visitors to taste, buy, and experience what Polydome has to offer.
The Polydome food production ecosystem is designed according to two main principles:
1. Polyculture: mix of crops and other species that have symbiotic and beneficial relationships with each other;
2. Closed energy and material flows.
Eight crop clusters were defined, based on:
› Market analysis, demand and pricing;
› Locally preferred crops;
› Symbiotic relationships between different plants (companion planting);
› Crop rotation and intercropping based on permaculture design principles that distinguish between three groups: heavy feeders, carbon crops and nitrogen crops;
› Input from desk study and experts.
Different sources, technologies and operations are required to support the production of food. Focus was given to closing loops and materials flows, and using sustainable and local sources. For the internal systems and installations proven and existing technologies are chosen from reputable suppliers. Preference was given to international suppliers with local presence and contractors in Estonia to allow for high-tech and efficient solutions.
Financial analysis shows that Polydome Arkna is financially feasible and economically viable. The return on investment is achieved in year 6. If the financing for phase 2, for the final design and construction, is secured within 6 months, production
starts in 2018.
Objectives
The project (i.e. feasibility study) has three objectives:
› Define the goal, vision and project boundary conditions regarding the sustainability of various conceptual pathways, opportunities, and potential extra functions;
› Develop and define a concept that is mature enough to be estimated and evaluated on performance;
› Develop support material for PR, investor and stakeholder communication, such a visualisations, text and diagrams explaining the Polydome process, which can be used to promote the project within the community, to others outside the local community, and to attract additional funding.
