OASIS SecondSky™: a new generation of greenhouse coverings to cope with high temperatures

In the world’s hottest agricultural regions, from greenhouses in northern Mexico to the arid areas of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, growers face a common challenge: excessive solar radiation and extreme temperatures inside the greenhouse.

These conditions not only reduce crop productivity and quality, but also increase water and energy consumption for climate control.

With the aim of mitigating these effects and improving resource efficiency, iyris, a pioneer in advanced agricultural technologies, and Grupo Armando Alvarez, a strategic partner and leader in agricultural plastics manufacturing, have developed the solution: OASIS SecondSky™, a plastic greenhouse covering that represents a revolutionary advancement in radiation and temperature control.

We invite you to watch the technical demonstration of OASIS SecondSky™ presented by iyris and SecondSky™ Chief R&D Engineer, Dr. Matthew Dodd:

How the technology works in OASIS SecondSky™ covers

OASIS SecondSky™ is based on an advanced optical principle: it filters NIR radiation (near-infrared), the direct cause of rising temperatures in greenhouses, without blocking PAR light (photosynthetically active radiation), which is essential for plant growth.

This means the crop receives the ideal amount of light for photosynthesis, without suffering the heat stress associated with high temperatures.

In the technical launch webinar for this solution, iyris and SecondSky™ Product and Growth Director Dr. Nico Augsburger explains the technology behind this greenhouse covering film and how the optical additives integrated into the plastic act selectively on the solar spectrum.

The result is a temperature reduction under the cover of between 5 °C and 7 °C, depending on the geographic area and the type of crop.

This thermal control not only improves the physiological well-being of plants, but also reduces evapotranspiration, lowering irrigation and energy demand.

“The goal is not to darken the greenhouse, but to create a stable microclimate that maintains crop vigor and productivity even during the warmest months,”, Dr. Matthew Dodd explained during the product demonstration.

Field results: higher yield and resource savings

The impact of this technology has been validated in various field trials documented in a webinar with results from the implementation of these covers coordinated by our platform and also in an interview published in Revista RojoAzul (issue no. 5, pp. 16–18), published by Grupo Armando Alvarez.

The data are clear:

• Reduction in internal temperature of up to 7 °C, while maintaining natural ventilation.
• Better crop development uniformity and reduced heat stress.
• Irrigation water savings due to lower evapotranspiration and greater photosynthetic efficiency.
• Increased yield per hectare, especially in high-value crops.

In Mexico, a strawberry grower managed to increase production from 20 to 25 tons per hectare after incorporating OASIS SecondSky™ greenhouse covers, without changing management practices or increasing production costs.

On the other hand, “in Middle Eastern countries, the technology has enabled passive and more efficient greenhouse cooling, saving between 15% and 30% of water in high-tech greenhouses”, according to the article in RojoAzul magazine.

The result: more production, lower energy expenditure, and a smaller environmental footprint.

OASIS SecondSky™: A key tool for the agriculture of the future

In addition to its agronomic benefits, the greenhouse cover specially designed for hot climates, OASIS SecondSky™, contributes to more sustainable agriculture.

By reducing the use of resources in agriculture and extending the service life of the cover, this technology aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 12 and 13), driving more efficient and responsible production.

OASIS SecondSky™ marks a turning point in greenhouse climate management. It makes it possible to grow with greater safety, reduce costs, and ensure the quality of the final product.

Conclusion

Climate change and extreme temperatures call for new solutions to protect agricultural productivity and self-sufficiency in food production.

OASIS SecondSky™ is not just a cover, but an intelligent climate control tool that helps farmers around the world maintain healthier, more sustainable, and more profitable crops, even in the hottest climates.

An innovative solution that is already making a difference in the field and will continue expanding toward a more resilient and efficient agricultural future.

Would you like more details about this solution? You can contact us for advice based on your crop’s requirements.