As the planet faces unprecedented heatwaves and climatic volatility, agriculture is under immense pressure. A groundbreaking solution developed in Saudi Arabia aims to address this challenge, offering a lifeline for farmers grappling with rising temperatures.
SecondSky: A Revolutionary Cooling Technology
SecondSky, a nanotechnology-based greenhouse innovation, reduces internal temperatures by up to 7°C without compromising light transmission. Using advanced plastic polymer sheeting, it filters out near-infrared solar radiation. This technology not only decreases cooling demands but also enables crops to thrive with up to 30% less water, presenting a sustainable and energy-efficient solution for global agriculture.
Developed by Derya Baran, an associate professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), SecondSky has rapidly transitioned from research to commercial success. Now distributed in 15 countries through Iyris (formerly RedSea), the product is redefining sustainable farming in hot and arid regions like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE.
Global Adoption and Impact
SecondSky’s reach has expanded to the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and beyond, reflecting a growing demand for resilient agricultural solutions amid changing environmental conditions. By offering a drop-in replacement for traditional polyfilm, SecondSky simplifies adoption while extending the lifespan of greenhouse coverings compared to conventional heat-blocking methods like chalk coatings.
Iyris, partnering with plastics manufacturers such as SABIC and Hyma Plastic, has already sold 4.5 million square meters of SecondSky materials. These innovations are critical as extreme heat events increasingly threaten crop yields, driving up resource consumption and agricultural costs.
Local Success in Saudi Arabia
In its home country, SecondSky is proving transformative. A pilot farm in Bada, part of the National Food Production Initiative, integrates this technology with other agritech innovations to grow crops like tomatoes and peppers on previously unproductive desert land. The success of this initiative has inspired local cooperatives to explore similar projects, paving the way for sustainable agriculture in one of the world’s most inhospitable climates.
A Critical Tool Against Desertification
Desertification, which claims 100 million hectares of land annually, poses a growing threat. In regions like Saudi Arabia, where less than 1% of land is arable, water-saving technologies like SecondSky are indispensable. Greenhouse equipped with this technology can enhance land productivity up to fivefold and water efficiency by seven times compared to traditional farming methods.
As climate challenges escalate, innovations like SecondSky represent a crucial step forward. By mitigating environmental stressors and conserving resources, this technology is helping ensure the sustainability of agriculture in an increasingly overheated world. With expanded product lines planned for 2025, Iyris is poised to further revolutionize global farming practices.
