Shading Agents for Your Crops
Revolutionize your greenhouse, one layer at a time
The Decia Cover greenhouse shading line
Shading Paints: protection and performance for your crops
Modern agriculture demands innovative solutions to tackle climate challenges. Advanced technologies are now used to enhance both the quality and quantity of production by optimizing key parameters such as humidity, temperature, and insulation.
To support growers in managing greenhouse climates, Colorificio Valdecia has developed Decia Cover—a high-performance, technologically advanced line of shading paints. These coatings can be applied using drones/helicopters, sprayers, or manually and have been recognized by the European Commission with the Seal of Excellence.
PATENT NO 102015000014632
Why Choose Decia Cover?
With the Decia Cover product line, we offer a range of shading paints designed for agricultural coverings, optimizing production and improving greenhouse climate conditions while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. Choosing our products means meeting five key needs:
Customized Climate Control
Adjust the shading intensity and internal temperature of your greenhouse by applying more or fewer layers, adapting to seasonal changes and improving worker comfort.
Water Savings
Reduce irrigation water consumption by 70-80%, leading to significant cost savings.
Advanced UV Protection
Minimize sun damage without compromising the light necessary for plant growth.
Weather Resistance
Benefit from long-lasting performance on glass, polycarbonate, and plastic films, offering added protection for greenhouse structures.
Eco-Friendly & Biodegradable Products
Prevent groundwater pollution with water-based coatings and repurpose residual calcium carbonate, ensuring maximum environmental respect.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Decia Cover Line
Why is it necessary to shade a greenhouse?
Shading is not just about protecting crops from the sun; it is about improving the entire indoor microclimate. In greenhouse cultivation, shading is essential to create optimal plant growth conditions, preventing heat stress, avoiding production drops, and preserving high-quality yields.
Why choose Cover 2020 or Cover Black?
Cover 2020 and Cover Black are the flagship products of the Decia Cover line. Both guarantee outstanding performance in terms of durability and adhesion to the substrate, allowing growers to accurately schedule production cycles, ensuring on-time deliveries and extremely high quality yields.
Both products can be easily removed using the specific detergent, Cover Clean.
- Cover 2020 adapts perfectly to any context and crop type.
- Cover Black features a specific formulation for extremely hot and humid environments,
offering even higher protection against UV rays.
Can I apply Decia Cover products to a glass greenhouse?
Yes, Decia Cover products can be applied to glass, plastic films, and polycarbonate. For different or unconventional substrates, we always recommend conducting a preliminary test.
If I want a specific shading level (e.g., 60%), can I achieve it in a single coat?
We recommend following the dilution rates specified in the technical data sheet and reaching the desired shading percentage in multiple coats, applying the next layer only when the previous one is completely dry (wait at least 48 hours). This application method not only ensures better adhesion to the substrate but also allows the plant to adapt gradually and harmoniously to the new light conditions, preventing growth stress.
What are the recommended temperatures for application?
The ideal application temperature should be between 18°C and 32°C. Temperatures that are too low or too high alter drying times, risking compromising both the uniformity of the application and the product’s adhesion to the substrate. It is recommended that the greenhouse surface is completely dry and clean, and that no high humidity or rain is forecast for the 48 hours following the application.
Are Decia Cover shading agents rain-resistant?
Yes. If the application conditions detailed in the technical data sheet are strictly followed, the products offer extremely high resistance to weathering and heavy rain throughout the season.
What tools can be used to apply the shading agents?
The application can be carried out using various systems: manually using a spray boom, or mechanically with an atomizer, drone, or helicopter. Regardless of the chosen method, the operator’s skill is crucial to achieving uniform coverage, which is a decisive step in avoiding differences in plant growth at the end of the cycle. Applying the shading agent in multiple coats (both manual and mechanical) significantly improves the uniformity of the final result.
Safety Note: In case of manual application, we strongly recommend the use of fall-arrest safety systems.
What are the recommendations for correct removal using Cover Clean?
To effectively remove Cover 2020 or Cover Black coatings, you must use the dedicated Cover Clean detergent (removal efficacy is tested and guaranteed only with this product). We advise performing a small preliminary test to determine the correct dilution ratio, which can vary based on the number of shading coats applied or the duration of exposure on the substrate. For optimal removal, it is essential that the detergent is applied to a perfectly dry surface, wetting the entire coating uniformly (areas not wetted by Cover Clean will not peel off). It is equally important that heavy rain is forecast within the following 24/48 hours, which is essential to easily and completely wash away the product.
Is it possible to use alternative detergents to remove Cover 2020 and Cover Black? Or, conversely, use Cover Clean on shading agents from other brands?
Yes, it is theoretically possible if the chemical formulations of the products are similar. In both cases, before proceeding on the entire surface, it is absolutely necessary to carry out a test to verify the actual effectiveness and the correct dilution ratio of the detergent.
Can partial removals be carried out (for example, only on the sides of the tunnel)?
Absolutely. If you only need to clean a portion of the greenhouse, the process is very simple: just apply Cover Clean exclusively to the targeted areas, following the instructions on the technical data sheet
Once Cover Clean is applied, are the runoff water and the residues of Cover 2020 or Cover Black harmful to the soil and crops?
No. Laboratory tests conducted on runoff water in contact with the soil certify that the products fully comply with the European standard OECD 208 (absence of phytotoxicity). The rinse water may show a slight increase in pH value; however, in many years of field use, this factor has never caused any issues when reusing the water for irrigation.
Why choose a self-extinguishing product?
The self-extinguishing products of the Decia Cover line offer temporary shading with a predefined duration: Cover X1 (1/2 months), Cover X2 (3/4 months), and Cover X3 (5/6 months). These products do not require any detergent for final removal: they wash away progressively on their own solely through rainwater. They are the ideal choice for crops where the end of the shading period can tolerate slight timeline flexibility (advancements or delays due to the weather) without affecting crop quality and productivity.
