For the upcoming season, the use of the active ingredient CIPC, as a sprout inhibitor for potato storage is prohibited. The alternatives are ready, but require another nebuliser. "The nebulisers that have been customary until now are not suitable to use for the new products," says Jos Veugen of Frans Veugen Industrial Hygiene, which has been selling the SynoFog adapters for the past three years.
Electric heating
Jos Veugen: “Because the alternative active substances are all flammable, they cannot be atomised with current nebulisers. These machines work with an open flame, which means that the products can quickly ignite. We started developing a new machine five years ago. We expect a lot from that.”
The big difference with conventional machines is that the SynoFog heats electrically instead of with a combustion engine. “As a result, there is no open flame, so the products cannot ignite at a low temperature. Just as with the old nebulisers, the electric heating generates a warm air flow, with which the agent is atomised. It is the electric Tesla among the nebulisers.
We regularly add new developments, such as the last control function that works via WiFi connection. This was at the request of a customer who sometimes mists potatoes from a higher location.”
No extra CO2
The ban on CIPC was imminent, so the Synofog had already been sold in the past three years and the benefits had already become clear. “The Synofog is user-friendly and is suitable for both alternatives to CIPC: 14Sight, with active ingredient DiMethylNaphtalene and Biox-M, with a peppermint oil base. Because you do not use gasoline, you do not bring extra CO2 into the warehouse. That benefits the baking quality of the potatoes,” Jos continues. The nebulisation of sprout inhibitors usually starts three weeks after storage. The potato keeper then determines the treatment frequency, where it can vary from 3 weeks to 2 months.
Waiting list
Since it was announced that CIPC may no longer be used from October 2020, sales have been running at a remarkable level. “For us it is important to plan well. We have to deliver everything prior to October before the start of the season. We hope everyone orders in time. If you order it in September, you have to go to the back of the line and then you may not be on time.”
For more information:
Frans Veugen Bedrijfshygiëne B.V.
Jos Veugen
Platinastraat 9
6031 TW Nederweert
The Netherlands
T: +31 (0) 495 46 01 88
F: +31 (0) 495 46 01 86
jos@fransveugen.nl
www.fransveugen.nl