Agriculture - Driving Quality and Efficiency

Vapour permeability – the ability of materials to allow moisture vapour to pass through plays a critical role in agriculture, from crop protection to storage and environmental control and can have a profound impact in key agricultural areas including:

Soil Covers and Mulches

By measuring vapour transmission rates in biodegradable films and woven fabrics, Versaperm helps farmers strike the right balance between soil moisture retention and aeration. The result is healthier root systems, reduced irrigation needs, and more resilient crops.
Vapour permeability issues in this area

• Excessive soil drying if films are too permeable.
• Waterlogging, root rot or poor aeration if films are insufficiently permeable.
• Reduced crop yields due to imbalanced soil moisture.
• Accelerated breakdown of biodegradable mulches if vapour exchange is uncontrolled.

Packaging for Fresh Produce

From fruit and vegetable bags to modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) films, vapour permeability is central to maintaining freshness and shelf life or agricultural products. Optimising the vapour permeability of storage materials ensure they the right vapour balance to alleviate both spoilage and dehydration.

Vapour permeability issues in this area

• Condensation inside packs leading to mould growth and decay.
• Dehydration and shrivelling of fruit and vegetables.
• Loss of freshness and shortened shelf life.
• Increased food waste throughout the supply chain.

Greenhouse Films and Polytunnels

Vapour permeability is a major factor in the greenhouse effect, which is used by Polytunnels and soil solarisation films to heat the crops and soil, killing or weakening many soil-borne pathogens, weeds, and weed seed and enabling plants to thrive. It also allows growers to optimise condensation and maintain an ideal growing environment. This leads to higher yields, lower disease risk, and more efficient water use.

Vapour permeability issues in this area

• High humidity and condensation, encouraging fungal diseases.
• Plant stress from excessive drying if covers are too permeable.
• Reduced water-use efficiency through unnecessary evaporation.
• Lower crop quality and yield due to poor climate control.
  

Animal Housing and Bedding

The conditions inside barns, poultry houses and pig units are strongly influenced by moisture. Materials with controlled vapour permeability help reduce condensation, creating a healthier environment for animals and lowering the risk of disease. Bedding products also benefit: by allowing excess vapour to disperse while retaining protection against liquid penetration, they reduce ammonia build-up and extend bedding life. Versaperm’s systems make it possible to test these materials with precision, ensuring they perform consistently and contribute to animal welfare and farm efficiency.

Vapour permeability issues in this area :

• Damp conditions leading to respiratory disease and bacterial growth.
• Increased ammonia build-up from poor bedding performance.
• Shortened bedding life, driving higher costs.
• Poor animal welfare and productivity impacts.
  

Controlled-Atmosphere (CA) Storage & MAP

Fresh produce relies on finely balanced storage conditions to stay edible for longer. CA storage and MAP technologies use carefully engineered packaging and films that must control not just gases such as oxygen, ethylene and carbon dioxide, but also water vapour transmission. Too little vapour transfer causes condensation and spoilage, while too much results in drying and loss of quality. Ethylene regulates various aspects of plant growth, development, and ripening. Together these effects extend shelf life and reduce food waste.

Vapour permeability issues in this area:-

• Condensation inside packs or storage units causing spoilage.
• Excessive drying out of produce if permeability is too high.
• Imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide affecting respiration rates.
• Shortened storage life and increased waste.

Seed Storage and Germination

Seeds are highly sensitive to moisture levels, and their ability to germinate depends on being stored under tightly controlled vapour conditions. Packaging and storage bags must allow enough vapour movement to avoid condensation and mould, while preventing excessive drying that reduces viability. During germination itself, materials such as germination papers and trays need the correct balance of hydration and oxygen availability. With Versaperm’s testing systems, manufacturers and researchers can measure and optimise vapour permeability at every stage, protecting seed stocks and supporting strong, reliable germination.
Vapour permeability issues in this area

• Mould growth and decay from excess moisture.
• Reduced germination rates if seeds dry out.
• Loss of long-term viability during storage.
• Inconsistent and weak seedling development.

Mass Spectroscopy: Raising the Bar

Versaperm’s Mass Spectroscopy permeability system sets a new benchmark in testing, offering:

• Multi-gas and vapour, the system needs just a single measurement to determine the permeability of virtually all vapours with just one measurement. For example, it can measure water vapour, Oxygen, CO2 and Ethylene all at the same time
• Ultra-high sensitivity, detecting permeability at levels many times more accurate than conventional methods.
• Versatility, measuring vapour transmission for virtually any gas or vapour.
• Speed and reliability, providing both R&D teams and production environments with clear, actionable data.

About Versaperm - A Complete Range of Solutions

Versaperm offers a broad portfolio of vapour permeability measurement system. Together, these provide a comprehensive approach to tackling many of agriculture’s important – vapour permeability is all too often overlooked but plays a major role in productivity.

Versaperm is a leading specialist in vapour permeability measurement and testing. With decades of expertise, the company provides innovative solutions for industries ranging from agriculture and packaging to pharmaceuticals, construction, and beyond. Its technology enables companies to design, test, and manufacture products that meet the highest standards of quality, performance, and sustainability.