System components across propagation, transport and retail handling integrated

Blackmore Company’s Air Tray Technologies system combines propagation trays, rack systems, and paper-based retail containers.

© Blackmore Company Inc.According to the company, the system is designed to reduce substrate use, transport volumes, and chemical inputs while increasing production density and handling efficiency. “The propagation trays can reduce substrate use per plant by up to 50% through open-bottom cell design and air pruning, and airflow and drainage characteristics reduce the need for fungicide applications during production”, David Dobos, Blackmore explains.

Now, the system has been nominated for the GreenTech Impact Award 2026 at GreenTech Amsterdam. The category is intended for products that have been on the market for at least two years and are assessed on sustainability impact and revenue growth. Air Tray Technologies is one of 37 submissions across the GreenTech Innovation Awards.

David explains the nomination relates to the integration of the different system components across propagation, transport, and retail handling. “The system combines Air Tray propagation trays, transport racks, and Plant It Friendly retail containers into one production and logistics approach,” he says.

Air Tray manufacturing uses up to 85% recycled or post-industrial plastic material within an in-house recycling loop. Transport density can increase by up to 60% per truckload and retail display density by up to 40%, reducing transport requirements across the supply chain. The Plant It Friendly retail containers are paper-based and recyclable.

On the production side, growers can achieve one to two additional crop turns annually due to increased growing density. The company reports drying times after irrigation can be reduced by up to 30%, which it says can lower disease pressure and reject rates.

“The reduction in drying time after irrigation changes the crop environment around the root zone and foliage,” David says. “That affects disease management and handling throughout production.”

The company also links the Air Tray rack system to labor efficiency through transport ergonomics and handling workflows. Blackmore says the system is compatible with automated production and includes on-demand sleeve printing capabilities for retail presentation.

GreenTech Amsterdam 2026 takes place from 9 to 11 June at RAI Amsterdam. The award winners will be announced during the exhibition opening on 9 June. Blackmore Company will exhibit at stand 05.417, while the nominated products will be displayed in the Innovation & Insight area in Hall 5.

For more information:
Blackmore Company
800-874-8660
[email protected]
www.blackmoreco.com
www.air-trays.com