Greenhouse builder Certhon has begun construction of a 0.36-hectare (3,600 sq m) Venlo tomato greenhouse for Petrodial in Romania. The project is the third construction phase at the grower’s existing site, where the new structure will be connected to facilities delivered during earlier phases.
In its 13 October 2026 project update, Certhon said the foundations had been completed and construction was under way. The company expects the new greenhouse to become operational in early 2027. That is a forward-looking schedule, not an announcement that phase three has already been commissioned.
Phase three extends an existing greenhouse complex
The new Venlo glasshouse is relatively small on its own, adding 0.36 hectares of growing infrastructure. Once it has been completed, the combined Petrodial greenhouse complex will cover approximately 2.4 hectares, according to the builder. That larger figure is the expected total across phases, not the size of the new extension.
The building follows phase two, where Petrodial already has greenhouse infrastructure to which the latest work will connect. Certhon says preparations during the earlier development phases will allow new and existing technical systems to be integrated.
New systems will be connected to existing installations
Certhon is supplying the new phase on a turnkey basis, including double screening, insect netting, electrical installations, a climate computer and heating systems. Irrigation and greenhouse water infrastructure are designed to connect with the existing technical water facility, which already incorporates ultraviolet disinfection, according to the company.
The technical integration is as important as the new structure: a phased tomato grower needs climate, heating and water control across interconnected greenhouse areas.
Next project milestone
The confirmed milestone is a construction start following the completion of foundations. For greenhouse builders, component suppliers and tomato operators watching Romanian protected-horticulture investment, the next verifiable step will be construction completion and commissioning in 2027. The builder’s early-year operating target should remain separate from an actual start of production until reported.
Key takeaways
- Certhon reports that phase-three foundations are finished and work is underway on Petrodial’s new 3,600 sq m Venlo tomato glasshouse.
- After completion, the combined Romanian complex is expected to cover roughly 2.4 hectares; the new phase alone is 0.36 hectares.
- The build integrates screens, heating, climate and water systems with previous phases, with operations targeted for early 2027.
Featured photograph: Petrodial phase-three greenhouse under construction, provided in Certhon’s project announcement.
