Are the products UV-resistant?

We can define UV resistance as the degree to which products are resistant to UV radiation, from sunlight for example.

UV in this context stands for ultraviolet. It is an electromagnetic radiation that falls just outside the perceptible image of humans. Yet this radiation has a major impact on plastic products in particular. And also on hail nets, clips and other materials.

In this blog, we will discuss the influence of UV radiation on the products of FruitSecurity Holland and its relationship with the KLY value of the products. Finally, we will also briefly discuss the formation of shadows under hail nets and conclude whether the products are UV-resistant.

What is UV radiation?

As already indicated, UV light is imperceptible to humans. We often mention UV light in connection with harmfulness to the skin, such as sunburn, skin ageing and skin diseases. 

UV light is divided into 3 categories. UVA, UVB and UVC. These different types all have their own range. For instance, UVC does not reach beyond the atmosphere and thus has little to no influence. UVB, on the other hand, does have an impact, this radiation also causes the skin to tan and redden. The kind of UVA can penetrate deep into the skin and can cause damage there.

So both UVB and UVA also affect FruitSecurity Holland's products.

KLY value

You are probably wondering what KLY value is. KLY value is the unit used to measure the intensity of UV radiation. This unit indicates how much UV radiation energy falls on cm2 per year.

Example KLY value

Many products have a KLY value indicated. For example, if you have a KLY value of 2000 with a product, you can subtract the UV radiation in your country or region from it. So you have a radiation level of 80-100KLY in the Netherlands. So then the elastic will be resistant to UV radiation for 20 to 25 years. So the UV resistance is 2000 KLY.

UV resistance of FruitSecurity Holland products

UV resistance in the Powerflex system

In the Powerflex system, many different products are affected by UV radiation. Several common products we would like to briefly indicate their resistance. Please note, these are examples of the products used by FruitSecurity Holland, these products are of very good quality and these examples cannot be compared to any other type of product.

• The gummy has a KLY value of 2000. In the Netherlands, the elastic is therefore resistant to UV for 20-25 years. After these years, the UV resistance is so low that UV radiation will start to degrade the elastic and its quality will quickly deteriorate.
• The woven foil 150 - contains 500 KLY. So when we translate again to the Netherlands, the foil will be resistant to UV radiation for 5-7 years.  The woven foil 180 - will have the same KLY value.

These are 2 common products in the Powerflex system. Are you curious about the UV resistance of another product? Let us know and we will inform you.

UV-bestendigheid bij de hagelnet systemen

With hail net systems, the hail net is obviously the most important component. Especially the colour hail net will make the difference in UV resistance. So we will name different colours.

• Hail net crystal, this hail net is widely used in the Netherlands. Especially northern Europe uses crystal nets, the further south you go, the more other colours of hail net you encounter. The KLY value of hailnet crystal is 950. A UV resistance in the Netherlands of 9 to 12 years.
• Hailnet black, this hailnet is increasingly common in the Netherlands. Several systems have already been built with black hail netting. The black hail netting contains a KLY value of no less than 1,400. That equates to a UV resistance of 14 to 18 years in the Netherlands.

Of course, UV resistance is important for its lifespan. But the darker the hail net is, the more shade it generates. In short, crystal net gives a shade 8%, black hail net 18% and grey hail net 13% shade.

For more information on shade under nets, read our blog!

Conclusion: are the products UV-resistant?

We can indeed conclude that FruitSecurity Holland's products are UV-resistant. But this is closely related to the KLY value. The KLY value of a product indicates the number of years of UV resistance. If the products are used for longer than their KLY value, the UV resistance is lost.