UV Stabilised Greenhouse Film: Why UV Protection Is Non-Negotiable in India

In India’s high-radiation climate, UV stabilised greenhouse film is not a premium feature—it is a basic requirement for protected cultivation. Without UV protection, greenhouse plastic rapidly degrades under sunlight, becoming brittle, yellow, and weak within months. UV-stabilised films protect the polymer structure from ultraviolet radiation, extending film life to 3–5 years while ensuring consistent crop protection and long-term return on investment.

 Agriplast Ginegar UV Stabilised Greenhouse Film Spread over 20+ Acres In Rajasthan, India. Client: Eeki Foods

The Indian Climate Challenge: High UV Radiation

India lies within a tropical and sub-tropical belt where UV indices remain high for most of the year, even outside peak summer. Standard polyethylene (PE) plastic is inherently vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation. When exposed continuously, UV rays attack the polymer chains, triggering photo-oxidative degradation.

In practical farming conditions, this leads to:

• Rapid loss of elasticity
• Yellowing and haze formation
• Brittleness and cracking under wind stress

Farmers who attempt to reduce upfront costs by using non-UV or packaging-grade plastic often experience complete film failure within 4–6 months, especially during summer and monsoon seasons. The result is unplanned replacement, crop exposure, and avoidable financial loss.

What Does “UV Stabilisation” Actually Mean?

UV stabilisation is not a surface coating applied after manufacturing. It is an intrinsic property of the film.

During extrusion, specialised stabilising additives are blended directly into the polymer matrix:

• UV Absorbers

  These absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation and convert it into harmless low-level heat, preventing damage to the plastic molecules.

• HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilisers)

  HALS neutralise free radicals formed during early stages of polymer breakdown, effectively stopping the degradation chain reaction.

Because these stabilisers are embedded throughout the film, protection remains active even as the surface experiences dust, abrasion, and weathering. This is why high-quality UV-stabilised greenhouse films are rated by radiation exposure (KLY) and not just by calendar years.

The Risks of Using Non-UV Greenhouse Film

Ignoring UV protection exposes farmers to three major risks—both financial and agronomic.

1. Mechanical Failure

As UV damage accumulates, the film loses flexibility and tears easily. Even moderate wind or routine handling can cause ripping, forcing emergency mid-season replacement.

2. Reduced Light Transmission

Degrading films turn yellow and hazy over time, reducing photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reaching the crop. This directly impacts photosynthesis, plant vigour, and yield consistency.

3. Crop Scorching and Hotspots

Uneven degradation causes irregular light transmission, creating hotspots that can burn leaves, flowers, and fruits—especially in high-value horticulture crops.

UV Blocking vs UV Open Films: Which Do You Need?

Not all UV-stabilised films manage ultraviolet light in the same way. The right choice depends on crop physiology and production goals.

Agronomy insight:

In Indian conditions, UV Blocking films are preferred for most vegetables and red roses to reduce pest pressure and petal blackening. UV Open films are essential where bee activity or colour development is critical.

UV Stabilisation vs UV Blocking: Understanding the Difference

UV stabilisation and UV blocking are often used interchangeably, but they serve two very different purposes in greenhouse films.

UV stabilisation protects the greenhouse film itself. Polyethylene plastic naturally degrades under sunlight due to ultraviolet radiation. UV stabilisers—such as HALS and UV absorbers—are added during manufacturing to prevent polymer breakdown. This ensures the film remains flexible, clear, and mechanically strong for 3–5 years under Indian solar exposure.

UV blocking, on the other hand, controls the ultraviolet light entering the greenhouse. It affects the crop environment rather than the durability of the film. By filtering specific UV wavelengths, UV-blocking films help reduce pest activity, fungal sporulation, and issues like petal blackening in roses. UV blocking is therefore crop-specific, not a universal requirement.

In simple terms:

UV stabilisation is mandatory for film durability in India, while UV blocking is an agronomic choice based on crop and production goals.

Lifespan and ROI: The Economics of UV Protection

UV-stabilised greenhouse films have a higher upfront cost, but the lifecycle economics strongly favour quality.

• Non-UV plastic:

  Lasts 4–6 months, requiring multiple replacements over a few years—each involving material cost, labour, and crop risk.

• 200-micron UV-stabilised film:

  Lasts 3–5 years under Indian conditions with one-time installation and stable performance.

Over a four-year period, farmers typically reduce cladding-related costs by 50–60%, while maintaining consistent light transmission and crop environments.

How to Verify the Quality of UV-Stabilised Greenhouse Film

Not all films marketed as “UV” perform equally. Farmers should verify quality using three essential checks:

1. Written UV Warranty

   Reputed manufacturers specify UV life expectancy clearly, rather than making vague durability claims.

2. Correct Thickness (Micron Rating)

   In Indian conditions, 200 microns is the industry benchmark for durability under wind and radiation stress.

3. Branded Edge Markings

   Continuous branding on the film edge ensures traceability, accountability, and protection against counterfeit or downgraded material.

UV Protection Is Not Optional

In protected cultivation, the greenhouse film is the primary shield protecting your structure, crop, and investment. In India’s harsh solar environment, choosing UV stabilised greenhouse film is a baseline requirement—not a luxury.

It ensures:

• Structural safety
• Predictable film lifespan
• Stable light transmission
• Lower long-term costs

Unsure whether UV Blocking or UV Open film is right for your crop?

👉 Contact Agriplast’s Agronomy Team for a film selection consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)