Fruit-centric ripening™ uses digital feedback from the fruit allowing to maintain the perfect ripening process

More than 25 years ago US-based Thermal Technologies introduced the TarpLess® ripening room and it took the industry by storm. Since then, as manufacturer states, it has grown to become the most widely used ripening room system in North America and is now expanding globally. Continuous development and a strong commitment to customer service and support have been the main drivers of the success for Thermal Tech. This year at PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim, CA, USA the company introduced it’s next generation TarpLess®SX ripening room system featuring their exclusive Fruit-centric ripening™ technology. Fructidor had a chance to discuss this “next generation” system with company Vice President and VP of Sales David Byrne.

David Byrne explains that TarpLess®SX is the result of everything Thermal Tech has learned and achieved over the past 25 years. It offers all the proven advantages of the TarpLess® ripening room, fully integrated with company’s most advanced systems and features, including their exclusive Fruit-centric Ripening™ control technology.

Fruit-centric Ripening™ uses data sent directly from the fruit to the system’s intelligent SX control system. Using this data, the system is able to produce and maintain the perfect balance of temperature, humidity and airflow to keep pulp temperatures uniform while optimizing control and efficiency throughout every step of the ripening process.

“Digital feedback from the fruit enables us to fine-tune the ripening process like never before”, - explains Mr. Byrne. “It takes out the guesswork while providing improved control and flexibility, particularly in rooms with multiple temperature control zones. Other systems tend to operate more on supply and return air temps, which don’t offer the same level of control”.

The TarpLess®SX ripening room system is equipped with Thermal Tech’s exclusive humidification system, which maintains optimal moisture levels during ripening. This minimizes weight loss and extends shelf life up to 12 hours while minimizing retail shrink.

“Staying focused on the fruit  helps us avoid the common pitfalls of over-engineering which we often see in other systems. This fruit-centric approach has helped us keep the TarpLess® ripening room design as simple as possible, which is why most of the 3000+ rooms we’ve installed over the last 25 years are still in operation today.”

“Over 70% of all bananas ripened in North America are currently processed in TarpLess® ripening rooms and we want to make sure we continue to build on that success”, says Byrne. “We work with all the major growers along with 18 of the Top 20 grocery retailers in North America. It’s our commitment to their success that drives our innovation”.

Thermal Technologies offers a TarpLess®SX solution for every commercial ripening need with rooms for bananas, avocados, pears, stone fruit, even multi-fruit rooms that combine ripening, pre-cooling and low-temp storage. Dual or multiple temperature control zones allow fruit to ripen simultaneously to different stages in the same room at the same time with the same unbeatable performance and guaranteed uniformity.

Call David Byrne directly at +1 803 461 7980 to visit a TarpLess® ripening room installation near you. Or find out more at their recently renovated   website. Link: GoTarpLess.com