The system consists of airtight-covers, which cover the pallets. The covers are conditioned according to the requirements (O², CO²). The system is not only flexible, covers can also be added or removed without disruption of other covers, but conditions can also be changed in each cover and therefore an other product can be stored. Niels Remmelink is enthusiastic about the interest shown at the fair in Madrid. "There are a lot of people here from the soft fruit sector, especially from South America, where lots of blueberries are grown."
Van Amerongen introduced the Palliflex-system fifteen years ago. The systems are now on all continents. The systems in Chile are the biggest. There one blueberry grower even has 800 of those pallets. "The system is mainly used by growers and coolers. The best way is to use the system as the product comes off the field. With the Pallifax-system blueberries can de stored twice as long and red currants even six times," Niels Remmelink says.
A palliflex system with 580 covers for blue berries in Chile.
The blueberries are exported to the U.S. in the storage covers.
"Normally a large volume is stored in cells, but this system is ideal for storage of smaller volumes. Very often the pallets can, after static storage, be moved immediately by container or lorry. In each system pallets can de added or removed
and it is possible to store various products with one system," Niels continues. "The system only needs one cold store. The store need not be airtight, but the covers are. The system becomes cheaper as the number of covers increases. The basic operating system for one cover is the same as for a hundred. Every hour the cover is tested and if needed gas is added."