SALINAS, CA – TransFresh Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands, has significantly modified its flagship technology, Tectrol® Modified Atmosphere Packaging Systems, to deliver more consistent supplies of fresh blueberries.
This marks the successful completion of a multi-year research and development initiative that created a unique Tectrol Storage Solution that uses Apio’s patented BreatheWay® Technology to deliver a sealed package system with adjustable oxygen transfer rates that react to changes in temperature and berry respiration, according to a press release. This will allow for more reliable fresh blueberry storage.
“What’s remarkable about the Tectrol Storage Solution for fresh blueberries is that the innovative zip-sealed pallet system combined with the patented breathable membrane allows just the right amount of oxygen transfer needed by the fruit, resulting in greater atmosphere control than previously possible and a virtually fool-proof packing operation,” stated Rich Macleod, TransFresh Corporation Vice President.
“Customers who may have struggled in the past to meet the specific atmosphere needs of fresh blueberries are now finding they have a new solution available with higher consistency and a more stable atmosphere for greater storage reliability,” he said.
These innovations should give customers more confidence in their storage solutions by being able to more effectively match supplies with market demand. TransFresh hopes to be able to adapt this technology to other commodities like fresh cherries and grapes.
Reilly Rhodes, TransFresh Tectrol Business Manager for fresh blueberries, spearheaded the multi-year development project. When speaking of the ‘A-ha’ moment in the process, he said, “We redesigned our seal system for the fresh blueberry market and then married the redesigned seal and bag with the Apio BreatheWay® technology… at that stage, we were no longer simply adapting a successful program for fresh strawberries to fresh blueberries, we were actually creating a new and highly adaptable solution designed specifically for fresh blueberries.”
Domestic markets have sold 15% more blueberries this year than last and represent a fast growing berry segment, according to a press release. The ability to hold blueberries in a modified or controlled atmosphere conditions helps to alleviate difficulties in market supply and demand.
