BIG Interview: the ripening technology global retailers can’t do without 

Fruit doesn’t wait — and neither do customers. In today’s fast-paced supply chains, the challenge isn’t just growing fruit, it’s making sure it hits shelves at the perfect stage of ripeness. For global distributors and retail giants, even a small delay or inconsistency can mean wasted pallets and unhappy buyers. That’s why Catalytic Generators has spent more than 50 years making ripening predictable, safe, and scalable — becoming the hidden backbone of uniform fruit supply for everyone from family growers to Walmart and Dole. 

Today, we sit down with Catalytic Generators to explore how its solutions support businesses of every size — from family-run facilities to multinational retailers — while ensuring quality, scalability, and simplicity.  

Fructidor: Who typically uses your technology? 

Catalytic Generators: It is suitable for all. We assist small growers who have limited size ripening chambers, importers that ripen their own bananas and other tropical fruit, distributors who ripen a variety of fruit for a large regional area, and the largest supermarket chains. Some of our clients are Walmart (over 800 generators in North America and Mexico), Coles & Woolworths Australia, Kroger, Chiquita, Dole, Fyffes/van Wylick, Mission, Westfalia, Loblaws, and Sharbatly. 

Fructidor: What makes your solution attractive to new entrants in the ripening industry? 

Catalytic Generators: For a new company starting out with small ripening needs, our solution is perfect. No installation is needed, and they can quickly start up a ripening operation. As their business grows, we have many solutions to help them expand. Even the largest supermarket distribution centres can easily add the needed ethylene supply with our systems. We frequently tell new ripening companies that we make ethylene the easiest part of ripening! 

Fructidor: How does ethylene treatment affect fruit quality compared to heat ripening? 

Catalytic Generators: Ethylene encourages fruit to release its own internal ethylene, ensuring uniform ripening. Simply heating some fruits will not usually provide this degree of certainty. For bananas, untreated fruit will vary greatly in colour and may be inedible, while ethylene-treated fruit will all reach the same stage. For avocados, ethylene ensures that ready-to-eat fruit is reliably available at retail. 

Fructidor: What room size can one generator cover? 

Catalytic Generators: On the lower end, 57 m³. On the upper end, up to 300 m³ on average, and in very tight rooms, up to 500 m³. Usage is generally 0.5 to 1 litre of Ethy-Gen II per 24 hours. The generator is adjustable and can be matched to the desired ppm without constant monitoring. 

Fructidor: How widely are your products available worldwide? 

Catalytic Generators: We have distributors in 18 countries and sell directly in many other regions. Our systems are found across the globe. 

Fructidor: Do you offer trials for potential customers? 

Catalytic Generators: Yes, we can do a trial. They can reach out to us at Fruit Attraction or by email and we can arrange it. 

Fructidor: Your company also operates QA Supplies. How does this fit with your ripening solutions? 

Catalytic Generators: In 1995, we formed QA Supplies, which provides postharvest quality control tools such as BRIX/sugar meters, firmness testers, and ethylene detection equipment. Together, Catalytic Generators and QA Supplies form a complete source for ensuring that fresh produce is properly stored, ripened, and shipped. 

Attending Fruit Attraction or looking to upgrade your ripening?

Send an inquiry to book a meeting at Hall 10, Stand 10A25, or arrange a free trial at your facility.