"Leveraging the deep industry knowledge and technology from its other products, such as the SmartFresh℠ Quality System that transformed the apple industry, and in-depth market research, AgroFresh has developed RipeLock™ technology to maintain quality and freshness of bananas through shipping, ripening, retail display and all the way to the consumer," explains Andre Vink EMEA RipeLock Marketing Manager at AgroFresh. "Besides delivering high quality and better tasting produce, RipeLock also increases consumer loyalty, drives sales, reduces waste and improves operational efficiency – a win-win all around."
Development of the Technology
The development of RipeLock did not happen overnight. "AgroFresh has invested a significant amount of time and energy to understand all aspects of the banana supply chain and the associated challenges to develop a technology empowering its customers to maintain quality, increase value and reduce waste in their banana programs."
The market research was a critical component of bringing RipeLock to market. Agrofresh developed partnerships with various research institutes and engaged a target group of customers to collaborate and garner more in-depth knowledge of the banana ripening process.
"Based on all the new insights and their experience, it was clear that implementing cutting edge solutions and innovations in ripening was going to be a challenge, but nevertheless, the AgroFresh team was prepared and motivated to overcome these challenges."
In a recent interview in FreshPlaza; industry expert Frits Popma of Popma Fruit Expertise discussed the challenges of the banana ripening process and how "…more attention should be paid to innovations and that collaborations should happen more often to develop ripening techniques."
The article acknowledges that AgroFresh understood the market needs but also underlines the difficulties of innovation within the banana industry.
"If you’re a fresh-food retailer in Europe, your apples and bananas better be top-notch," McKinsey & Company.
Validating the Technology
Once the RipeLock technology was developed, AgroFresh began the testing process with customers to validate the value of the solution and ensure it could deliver the consistent quality and freshness as promised.
Numerous independent studies were conducted during this period successfully validating that RipeLock helps bananas retain freshness and extended the amount of time bananas would exhibit the preferred color while on display, two factors that entice consumers to purchase and eat more bananas.
One study in the United Kingdom showed nearly 70% of consumers preferred RipeLock bananas to current in-market bananas, and 81% of shoppers said they were likely to buy RipeLock bananas compared to 57% for traditional bananas. Another study at a convenience store chain over a three-month period resulted in a 17 percent sales increase and a 16 percent reduction in shrink for the retailer.
Continuing innovation
"Our RipeLock technology is proven to work, adding value to ripeners, retailers and consumers” said Andre Vink. “We’ve taken the necessary steps to develop and validate the solution and now ripeners and retailers are leveraging the RipeLock system. It is the first technology of its kind to effectively maintain the quality and freshness of bananas – from green life preservation during shipping to an optimal in-home eating experience."
"We started this journey with conventional bananas, and are now expanding into new territories and other products, such as organic produce," added Vink. "We continue to grow our knowledge base to drive innovation and deliver on our promise to unlock the potential of longer-lasting freshness for retailers and consumers alike. It is an exciting time at AgroFresh with a number of new developments underway, and we are appreciative of our collaboration partners who have joined us on this journey of thought leadership to deliver fruits that look better, taste better and stay fresh longer."
For more information:
Andre Vink
AgroFresh
+31 651 98 74 77