Creating faster, more scalable climate-focused seed research

On 22 September 2026, during Seed Meets Technology, PhenoKey and Certhon will introduce ClimaRack: a modular research platform for climate-focused seed research. The system makes it possible to investigate several independently controllable climate conditions in parallel within a single compact set-up. ClimaRack thereby helps seed companies translate reliable insights more quickly into better-informed decisions across research, breeding and quality control.

The launch comes at a time when seed companies need to respond more quickly to changing growing conditions, stricter quality requirements and a growing need for reliable data. Breeders want to compare varieties, seed lots and treatments under a wide range of conditions, while research space, capacity and labor are limited. “ClimaRack has been developed for exactly that reality,” says Bas van Eerdt, Director at PhenoKey. “It gives users the flexibility to build more variation into their trials, without research immediately becoming larger, more complex or more labor-intensive.”

© CerthonClimaRack is a modular research platform for climate-focused seed research

Multiple test conditions in one compact set-up
ClimaRack combines independently controllable layers with digital control and can be linked to automated research processes. Each layer can be set separately, allowing users to apply different research conditions simultaneously within the same infrastructure. Thanks to its modular design, capacity can be expanded layer by layer or scaled up across multiple ClimaRack units.

Greater confidence in decisions
“The strength of ClimaRack lies not only in the number of testing options, but above all in the quality of the insights they produce,” says Van Eerdt. “By investigating different climate and stress scenarios side by side, seed companies can see more quickly how seed performance develops. That provides a stronger basis for choices in research, breeding and market introduction.”

“We see that seed companies must respond even more quickly to changing growing conditions and market demand,” says Edwin Vanlaerhoven, Commercial Director at Certhon. “That calls for research solutions that are flexible, scalable and practical to apply. ClimaRack fits that need well and is a valuable addition to the greenhouses and climate rooms we design and build for seed breeders.”

Developed with expertise in cultivation, climate and data
ClimaRack has been developed from the combined expertise of Certhon and PhenoKey. Certhon contributes knowledge of controlled cultivation and climate environments, while PhenoKey adds expertise in plant research, data and phenotyping. That combination has resulted in a platform that matches the day-to-day research practice of seed companies as well as their need to gather reliable data more quickly.

Prototype on show at Seed Meets Technology
The ClimaRack prototype can be seen on 22 September 2026 during Seed Meets Technology in Zwaagdijk-Oost. The official launch will take place at booth 33 at 11:00 AM. Visitors can take a close look at the system there and discover what it offers for seed research under variable conditions. Until then, anyone interested can learn more at www.climarack.com.