The new floor cover created by OTFLOW improves the airflow inside containers by 30%. With this Dutch innovation the quality of fruit improves and the fruit waste is reduced. "OTFLOW is a revolution in the shipping and transport industry. Recent research from the University of Wageningen show that OTFLOW creates more stable temperatures inside containers, as a result there is less fruit waste and less financial losses,” states Otto de Groot, founder of OTFLOW.
With the new cover the air division in fruit containers remains 30 more stables during overseas transport according to OTFLOW.
Logistical challenge
A large portion of the fruit that we eat every day is grown on the other side of the world.To get to our local supermarket, the vessels have to cross zones with high ambient temperatures. All exporters are facing the challenge to keep the cargo cool inside the containers, when the outside temperatures are very high. Temperature rise in containers are caused by an ineffective internal airflow, the cold air from the cooling unit simply does not reach all corners of the container, resulting in hot spots that increase the respiration rate of the fruit.
To tackle this well-known problem exporters often place pieces of cardboard or plastic to manipulate the flow of air. De Groot adds: ”In my 35 years of experience at HDG I have seen many different approaches to influence the flow of air. I realised no one really knows what the best approach is. This inspired me to come up with a solid and simple solution that would have a guaranteed effect to improve the air flow.”
OTFLOW.
The recent research of Dr. ir. LJS (Leo) Lukasse of the Wageningen Food & Biobased Research concludes OTFLOW stabilises the temperatures in containers by 30%. His study followed a shipment of 6 containers with grapes from South Africa to the Netherlands: “The OTFLOW floor cover reduces the temperature difference between warmest and coldest location in shipments of precooled grapes by approx. 30%” Lukasse concludes. The respiration rate of the fruit is reduced by the improved airflow, which results in fresher fruit at destination. “By applying OTFLOWS parties involved will receive less claims and have less financial losses due to the improved temperatures”, De Groot adds.
OTFLOW - Keeping Fruit Cool from OTFLOW on Vimeo.
For more information:
OTFLOW Visiting Office
Goudsesingel 130 (Unit 3.74)
3011 KD Rotterdam
T: +31 6 53234536