The Polytunnel Blog from Premier Polytunnels

Here at Premier Polytunnels we pride ourselves on offering the very highest quality of Thermal Anti Drip polythene films – the preferred cover of UK growers.

Premier Polytunnels is the UK’s first supplier of Thermal Anti Drip (or Anti Fog as it is sometimes known) polythene films that include NEW 5-layer co-extrusion technology. This 5-layer, 21^st Century technology – which Premier Polytunnels first brought to the UK market in 2009 – makes for a more efficient polytunnel cover.

But what is the 5-layer technology used in Premier Polytunnels’ polythene films?

Sophisticated polythene films contain a number of special chemical additives which make up the many properties of the films. These include light diffusion, stabilisation against UV breakdown, thermal and anti drip properties, blocking of ultra violet radiation, anti mist, and others. In addition, the films are often produced using more than one base resin.

Until the introduction of multi-layer extruders more than 25 years ago, the additives and resins were all mixed in together in the one and only layer that was available at the time.

However, among the additives there are those which are incompatible or, when mixed together, give undesirable results such as haziness or reduced transparency. It was recognised that for a polythene film to be as efficient as possible it was necessary for a particular additive to perform on the upper or lower layer of the film and not randomly wherever it was found.

The multi-layer co-extrusion technology (first 2-layers and, later, 3-layers) allowed polythene producers, to a certain extent, to place materials where they need to be. It also allowed them to separate particular additives that were incompatible into different layers.

In 2001, Premier Polytunnels’ polythene extruders installed the first large-size 5-layer extruder, allowing the additives within the film to be divided more evenly still – making for an even more efficient polytunnel cover.

“I’ve been to see our polythene being manufactured using the 5-layer extruder and believe me, it is impressive! Standing at the bottom of the blown film extruder and looking up at the giant bubble being created is quite something. It is mesmerising to watch and for me, seeing it for the first time, it was fascinating to learn all about the process – It’s very clever and really made me appreciate the difference in the quality of polythene films. It is no wonder our polytunnel covers are renowned for their quality!” Deborah Wood of Premier Polytunnels.

5-Layer Polythene Film

5-Layer Polythene Film Extruder

5-Layer Polythene Film Extruder

5-Layer Polytunnel Covers

Premier Polytunnels are polytunnel experts, but when it comes to knowing what and when to sow, plant, and harvest under cover, we turn to the gardening experts!

The chart below has been put together based on experience and expert advice from a number of polytunnel gardening enthusiasts, and will help you to determine when to sow, plant, and harvest your own delicious home-grown produce. 

A polytunnel puts you in control of nature, helping you to extend the growing season at each end of the year.

Vegetables do particularly well under a polythene cover and this is probably the most popular use for a polytunnel and, even in the cold British weather, fruits such as strawberries and tomatoes flourish under cover.

Whatever your pleasure, you can be sure it will grow better in a polytunnel!