Van der Ende Group has introduced the Envalve VK22 Smart, a next-generation motor-driven dual butterfly valve designed to deliver enhanced precision in water mixing and dosing processes for greenhouse horticulture applications. The new solution aims to provide growers and installers with greater control over irrigation quality while improving flexibility in system design and operation.
The launch represents a significant advancement in greenhouse water management technology, addressing the growing demand for accurate control of electrical conductivity (EC) levels in irrigation systems. By enabling highly responsive regulation of water and nutrient flows, the VK22 Smart is expected to help greenhouse operators achieve more consistent crop performance and resource efficiency.
Unlike conventional dual butterfly valves, where both valves operate through a mechanically linked system, the VK22 Smart features independently controlled butterfly valves driven electronically. This design allows each valve to function separately, providing a higher degree of precision and responsiveness during water blending and dosing operations.
According to Van der Ende Group, the system is among the first of its kind to offer simplified yet highly accurate control characteristics through an integrated Smart control architecture. The independent operation of both valves also gives installers greater freedom when designing irrigation systems, making it easier to accommodate a wider range of installation configurations.
At the heart of the solution is an intelligent printed circuit board that connects both actuators and integrates seamlessly with climate control systems commonly used in greenhouse environments. The control platform offers multiple configuration options, including adjustable operating times, valve-position feedback, various control modes, and support for industry-standard control signals such as 3-point, 0–10 volt, and 4–20 milliamp inputs.
A notable feature of the VK22 Smart is its optional 200% control mode, which utilizes the full flow coefficient capacity of the valve combination. This capability enables more precise regulation of water quality parameters and supports advanced irrigation strategies where accuracy is critical.
Alongside the introduction of the VK22 Smart, Van der Ende Group has upgraded the actuators across its existing Envalve product family to improve operational performance and long-term reliability. The portfolio now includes the VK11 for regulating single-fluid flows, the mechanically coupled VK21 for standard mixing applications, and the VK22 Smart for advanced process control requirements.
Joey van Leeuwen, Product and Business Development Manager at Van der Ende Group, said the new solution reimagines a widely used component by combining intelligent control with greater installation flexibility. He noted that the innovation enables growers to achieve more precise water quality management while simplifying system integration for installers.
The company has also introduced three functionality tiers—Basic, Digital, and Smart—across its valve portfolio. This approach allows users to select the level of control best suited to their operational requirements, ranging from straightforward on-off applications to highly sophisticated process-control environments. With the introduction of the VK22 Smart, Van der Ende Group continues to expand its portfolio of technologies designed to support efficient, data-driven greenhouse operations and sustainable horticultural production.
