The Belgian company Optiflux, supported by The Province of Flemish Brabant and research partners KU Leuven and VCBT, has developed smart technology for the improved cold storage of top fruit. "The 'Digifruit' innovation project lets fruit growers store apples and pears more efficiently, cheaper, and healthier. New sensors monitor the fruit in cold rooms, and a computer system measures air quality. They can adjust the air composition at any time, so can better control ripening and market perfectly ripened fruit," says a company spokesperson.
Fruit sector faces major challenges
Belgium produces an average of about 600,000 tons of apples and pears annually. After harvesting, this fruit is refrigerated for months to be sold throughout the year. Storing these using a suitable air composition slows the ripening process and preserves quality.
Storage conditions are not specific to each fruit batch, so significant losses sometimes occur. Chemicals that inhibit ripening are often used, but these are not allowed in organic farming. The sector faces major challenges, given the increasing demand for organic fruit, ever-higher consumer quality demands, and skyrocketing energy costs.
Innovative way to store apples and pears
Optiflux's Digifruit project has developed software and a measurement system. These allow for the dynamic control of fruit storage conditions without significant changes to the existing storage space or system. Growers can use this innovative technology for 100% organic fruit preservation. And it uses less energy. "The technology is a solution for a sector where energy conservation and sustainability are top priorities. The smart, dynamically controlled atmosphere storage technology (DCA) solves this."
"Fruit breathes," explains Niels Bessemans, Optiflux's CEO/CTO. "Our system measures, in real-time, up to 200 tons of fruit's respiration during cold storage. Using continuous measurements, the system's smart software automatically adjusts storage conditions. That means energy is saved through efficient refrigeration, better storage conditions, reduced losses, and, ultimately, increased profitability. Plus, it's an entirely biological process."
This innovative measurement and control system is a result of years of research at the Belgian university, KU Leuven, in partnership with the Flemish Center for Horticultural product storage (VCBT) and the Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives Association (VBT). With the support of the Province of Flemish Brabant, the partners managed to transform the technology from the lab into a commercial product that is now being rolled out in practice.
Energy-saving and 100% biological
Globally, 45% of fresh fruit and vegetables are wasted pre-consumption. Storage technology's impact on post-sales is thus vital. "Smart technology not only optimally preserves quality parameters like firmness and color during storage but also after it's bought, in consumer's homes. No ethylene blockers are used, so organic fruit, too, can be stored year-round," says Niels.
Fruit is kept at lower oxygen levels during this innovative DCA storage, producing less respiratory heat that needs cooling. That saves around 15% on energy consumption compared to standard storage.
Provincial support
"Companies, knowledge institutes, and governmental and social players working together on an innovative project can get a provincial innovation grant. The project, though, must strengthen Flemish Brabant as a knowledge region in at least one of the five clusters: food, health, creativity, logistics, and cleantech. Digifruit is a great, innovative, and energy-saving example and, thus, received a €102,770 grant," concludes Ann Schevenels, the Flemish Brabant's economy MP.
There is a study evening about 'Fruit storage in the future' on May 10. You can register via https://forms.gle/ioZBikcE4taN84Uk9
For more information:
Niels Bessemans
Optiflux
Tel: +32 (0) 478 382 754
Email: niels.bessemans@optiflux.world
Website: www.optiflux.world