Dutch packer reveals the benefits of specialized equipment for releasing ethylene gas in fruit ripening

Today, Sidney Van der Maal, a fruit ripening expert at Trofi Pack, a Dutch company specializing in cooling, ripening, and packaging exotic fruits, shares his experience of adopting Catalytic Generators. These generators, along with Ethy-gen® II Ripening Concentrate, have significantly enhanced the ripening process at Trofi Pack, transforming how they handle their exotic fruit inventory.

Before joining Trofi Pack, Van der Maal had worked at Westfalia Fruit in Poeldijk, where he utilized ethylene gas cylinders to manage the ripening of fruits. However, when he moved to Trofi Pack, he encountered a different setup—ethylene wasn’t being used for ripening. After discussions with management, they decided to install Catalytic Generators, which marked a pivotal shift in their approach to ripening.

Van der Maal describes the transition as straightforward and highly effective. He stresses the importance of ethylene in achieving consistent and uniform ripening, noting that it reduces stress on the fruit and significantly improves overall quality.

Van der Maal explains that without ethylene, higher temperatures are required for ripening, which increases stress on the fruit, shortens its shelf life, and causes more defects. Using ethylene, the ripening process becomes smoother, resulting in more uniform fruit with consistent firmness and quality. This means less sorting during packaging and happier customers who receive evenly ripened fruits.

Initially doubtful about the small size of the generator compared to traditional gas cylinder installations, Van der Maal was surprised by the consistent results across multiple ripening rooms.

However, after his first trial with the Ethy-gen® II Ripening Concentrate, he saw the same great results. By Monday morning, the fruit had ripened just as well as it did with the cylinder setup. "I couldn’t have been more satisfied with the outcome," Van der Maal states.

Van der Maal and his team have also explored customizing the generator’s settings to better suit their specific ripening needs. The device’s versatility, allowing it to move seamlessly between ripening rooms, was a major benefit. Furthermore, the generators can be integrated with ripening room software, enabling remote control from a centralized panel.

Beyond its effectiveness, the Ethy-gen® II Ripening Concentrate is also a more cost-effective solution than traditional gas cylinders. Customers have reported savings of up to €2000 per ripening room each year, depending on cylinder costs and ethylene usage. Since the Ethy-gen® II system can be easily trialed without large infrastructure investments, switching to this setup presents minimal risk for businesses looking to improve their ripening processes.

Fresh Produce Instruments focuses on providing specialized equipment to improve the quality control and management of fresh produce. They supply tools that assist with key processes like fruit ripening and monitoring attributes such as firmness, sweetness, and color in fruits and vegetables. Among their main products are Catalytic Generators, which release ethylene gas to promote consistent and uniform ripening in fruits like bananas, avocados, and tomatoes. They also offer the Ethy-gen® II Ripening Concentrate, designed to be used with these generators for efficient and reliable fruit ripening.

To obtain more information about Fresh Produce Instruments and calculating your potential savings, send your inquiry.