MPW Technologies developed a wavelength-optimised solar energy to achieve more efficient and greener agricultural practices.
At the core of the company is its patented VertSol technology, which downshifts green wavelengths to red to enhance photosynthesis while generating solar energy to power the greenhouse to significantly reduce energy costs.
“Instead of using extra electricity to convert into red and blue photons, you’re generating green electricity directly to power the greenhouse,” said chief executive Grace Ma.
The company’s primary market is China, where it has worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) on a pilot project in Hebei.
“We started this pilot in 2016 and it’s about 4,000 square metres. It’s still in very good operational conditions and has managed to grow tomatoes, watermelons, and strawberries,” said Ma.
While the company will continue to focus on its business in China, it is also looking to expand internationally as demand for greenhouse rises.
A survey by Rabobank published February 2025 reported that global greenhouse suppliers were optimistic about sector, rating the current sentiment at 6.7 on a scale of one to 10.
The positive outlook was attributed to trend towards automation and sustainability, as well as consolidation among growers in countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and the US.
Ma told AgTechNavigator that the firm sees major opportunities in North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
There are also opportunities in South East Asia, such as Thailand and Vietnam, where there are export demands for their produce from markets like Singapore.
For the next 12 months, it will focus on establishing in-roads into the Middle East as it strengthens its business in China.
Ma believes its experience in China is an advantage as she considers the country “ahead of the curve” in this sector.
According to a May 2024 paper published on Nature Food, satellite data confirmed that China is home to 60% of the world’s greenhouses after two decades of continuously increasing it to meet demand for produce.
Trends favouring greenhouses
Ma believes the demand for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) will continue in the long run as climate resilience and food security remain top of mind.
“We’re seeing more and more greenhouses being built. We believe that’s definitely the trend.”
She added that greenhouses will be favoured over vertical farming due to the higher energy costs of the latter.
Furthermore, she said that vertical farming can be more limited in terms of the type of crops that can be grown.
Last year, Ma was part of the 2024 cohort of Women Founders and Funders Singapore, which celebrates women-led entrepreneurship as a driving force in building regenerative food systems and resilient economies.
The initiative exposed Ma to diverse networking opportunities and connected her with potential partners from various regions, she said.
“We are a bit different, our space is quite niche, so it is very good to meet different businesses to get new perspectives.”
She concluded: “I think such programs are important for women. You can have a woman in her 50s or 60s starting a new business as she finds a new passion. I think it’s very important for such women to have this kind of support and respect as she develops a new network after raising kids for 20 years, sacrificing their careers. Such a program gives them more opportunities.”
