Ethylene application should not be complicated: a smarter approach to fruit ripening

In the modern fresh produce industry, achieving high-quality, consistent ripening is crucial. Titbit, s.r.o., established in 2000, initially focused on supplying fresh potted herbs to the Czech and Slovak markets. Today, the company offers a comprehensive range of products, including fruits, vegetables, exotic produce, specialty vegetables, and organic (BIO) products. Over recent years, Titbit has become a leading supplier of exotic fruits in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, serving hypermarkets, wholesalers, and the food service industry.

Titbit specializes in ripening fruits such as avocados, mangos, and kiwis, and operates a facility that processes washed, cut, and packaged produce. The company can deliver orders ranging from a single carton to full truckloads and also provides consumer education on new fruit and vegetable varieties and quality standards. For several years, Titbit has successfully used catalytic generators for its ripening chambers. This experience shows that simple, proven solutions can be just as effective as complex and costly gas systems.

Why Titbit chose Catalytic Generators

As Jakub Slezák, Quality Manager at Titbit, s.r.o., explains, the company intentionally chose compact and easy-to-use generators over more complicated gas systems. “Ripening should not be complicated,” Jakub states. “You just plug it in, and it works. That’s the best thing.”

The ease of use was a key factor in the decision: simply plug the device into an electrical outlet, and it’s ready to operate. The lack of staff training requirements makes integrating the equipment into production processes significantly easier. Catalytic Generators simplify ethylene application — just connect the generator to the electrical system, pour in a liter of Ethy-Gen II, and within 10 minutes, ethylene is being produced. It continues working for 24 to 48 hours, maintaining consistent ripening conditions with minimal effort. Once the desired ethylene concentration is achieved, further measurements are rarely needed, making the process both user-friendly and efficient.

Cost efficiency and effectiveness

Gas stations require significant investment in installation and maintenance, making them unaffordable for many businesses. Ethylene generators offer a more cost-effective solution without compromising product quality. Even businesses with existing gas systems can save money by using generators. For example, users of Catalytic Generators have reported annual savings of €2000 per ripening room. The portability and lack of installation costs make the Easy-Ripe generator a flexible option.

An ideal solution for the start of the season

Ethylene is especially important during the early season of avocados, which are too firm and require active ripening. “It’s actually better to use ethylene than not to, because otherwise, you shock the fruit. Without ethylene, they ripen with temperature, but then the fruit is ruined — the shelf life is reduced, and the taste is compromised,” Jakub explains.

Catalytic Generators create optimal conditions for natural ripening without overloading the fruit or diminishing its flavor. “At the start of the season, you can’t ripen avocados without ethylene,” Jakub continues. “You could leave them in the chamber for 10 days, and they’d still spoil.”

Although Catalytic Generators are sometimes referred to as "old technology," they are a proven solution with over 50 years of history. Fruits naturally produce ethylene, and the generator simply supports this natural process by generating pure ethylene. There’s nothing unusual or artificially created — just a straightforward, effective, and affordable method.

Jakub also addresses common misconceptions about ethylene use, particularly in post-Soviet countries. Many people wrongly believe that artificial substances are harmful. Jakub notes, "Most people think it’s bad. They don’t want to hear that it’s natural, that it’s a normal process. I don’t know how to change their minds." While attitudes are slowly shifting, this misconception remains a challenge.

Titbit has been using Catalytic Generators for five years with great success, confirming their reliability and efficiency. Recently, the company passed a food safety audit. “If I wasn’t satisfied, I wouldn’t have been using them for five years,” Jakub states.

The Easy-Ripe® generators provide continuous, non-pressurized ethylene for uniform ripening and degreening. Simply place the generator in the ripening room, adjust the settings, and experience the ease and consistency of high-quality fruit ripening.

Fresh Produce Instruments, the European distributor of Catalytic Generators, will be present at Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Hall 1.2, Stand D-40. If you’re interested in testing Catalytic Generators, send an inquiry today.