In an evolving agricultural sector, Jones Food Company’s hi-tech JCF2 vertical farm in Gloucestershire is one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the UK and one of the largest in the world, with growing space equivalent to 70 tennis courts. Powered by renewable energy, its tightly controlled temperature, humidity and CO2 levels speed up salad cultivation to a rate that is often faster than traditional outdoor growing methods.

Jones Food Company received capital investment in the facility, which grows lettuce, basil, and other herbs. The Ocado Group provided additional backing.

JCF2 plays a part in addressing some of the key challenges associated with traditional agriculture. Vertical farming offers a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture by optimising resource use, reducing environmental impact and contributing to urban food security. Key benefits include:

• Land-use efficiency

• Water conservation

• Reduced use of pesticides and herbicides

• Energy efficiency

• Reduced carbon footprint (lower food miles and less reliance on seasonal imports)

• Waste reduction

• Biodiversity conservation

• Climate resilience

The vertical farm’s design employed sustainable construction principles on a brownfield site within a former steel foundry. The old metalworks factory run by JD Norman Industries had produced camshafts, and its original footprint contained furnaces that had coated the building steelwork in thick, black residue over many years. EirEng Consulting Engineers provided structural consultancy and design services, allowing the client to save the foundry from demolition through sustainable reuse while maximising the available growing area.

Jones Food Company engaged main contractors ISD Solutions to provide several sealed chambers for the food facility. The Kingspan panel system offered the best solution for a clean food environment. Specifically, the QuadCore Coldstore panels selected were chosen for their performance and ease of installation to the interior of the building. The internal finish was particularly important on this project, as it suited a food production facility and allowed a clean, wipeable surface.

Pete Anderson, Senior Engineer, EirEng:

"We work with Kingspan panels on a lot of jobs including vertical farms and cold stores. The main advantage is the long span at relatively low weight."

Using QuadCore Coldstore panels meant that EirEng was able to design an accessible ceiling spanning between primary rafters without having to consider any additional load on the roof purlins. For this reason, the engineers also specified the panels as suspended ceilings when temperature control was not a requirement, thanks to their ease of installation as a lightweight prefabricated solution.

ISD Solutions completed the project in two phases. Phase 1 (6 weeks) involved installing 5,040m² of panels in the growing room. After its success, Phase 2 (12 weeks) added 5,400m² in the facility extension, totalling 10,440m² of panels installed.