“Ethylene application should not be complicated”

In the modern fresh produce industry, ensuring high-quality and uniform ripening is essential. Titbit, s.r.o. , founded in 2000 as the first supplier of fresh potted herbs to the Czech and Slovak markets. Today, the company offers a full range of fruits, vegetables, exotic produce, fresh spices, specialty vegetables, and organic (BIO) products. For the last few years the company has become a leader in exotic fruit supply in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, supplying hypermarkets, wholesalers, and the gastro sector.

Titbit specializes in ripening avocados, mangos, kiwis, and other fruits, and their facility processes washed, cut, and packaged produce. Being able to deliver from a single carton to full truckload, they also educate consumers on new fruit and vegetable varieties and quality recognition. The company has been successfully using catalytic generators for ripening chambers for several years. This experience proves that simple and proven solutions can be just as effective as expensive and complex gas systems.

Why Did Titbit Choose Catalytic Generators?

As Jakub Slezák, Quality Manager at Titbit, s.r.o., noted, the company deliberately chose compact and user-friendly generators over complex gas installations. Jakub emphasizes:

"Ripening shouldn't be complicated. You just plug it in, and it works. That's the best thing."

Ease of use became a key factor: simply plug the device into an electrical outlet, and it's ready to operate. The absence of staff training requirements significantly simplifies the integration of the equipment into production processes. Catalytic Generators make ethylene application incredibly simple. Plug the generator into the mains electrical system, pour in a litre of Ethy-Gen II, and within 10 minutes, ethylene is being produced. It continues to work for 24–48 hours, ensuring consistent ripening conditions with minimal effort. Once the desired ppm level is established, further ethylene measurements are rarely necessary, providing a user-friendly and efficient process.

Cost Efficiency and Effectiveness

Gas stations require significant investments in installation and maintenance, making them unaffordable for many companies. Ethylene generators offer a more affordable solution, allowing cost reduction without compromising product quality. Even for companies with existing gas systems, using generators can bring noticeable savings. For example, customers using catalytic generators have reported annual savings of €2000 per ripening room. The portability and no installation costs involved make the Easy-Ripe generator a more flexible option.

Perfect Solution for the Start of the Season

Using ethylene is especially important at the start of the season of avocados when fruits are too firm and require active ripening.

"It's actually better than if you would not use ethylene, because then you shock the fruit. Without ethylene, they ripen with temperature, but then the fruit is completely dead, the shelf life is reduced and taste is very limited..."

Catalytic generators create optimal conditions for natural ripening without overloading the product or compromising its taste. Jakub explains:

"At the start of the season, it's impossible to ripen avocados without ethylene. You could keep them in the chamber for 10 days, and they'd still go to waste."

Although catalytic generators are sometimes referred to as "old technology," they are, in fact, a proven solution with over 50 years of history. Fruits naturally produce ethylene, and the generator simply supports this natural process by creating pure ethylene. Nothing unusual, nothing artificially created, nothing complex or extremely expensive.

Overcoming Misconceptions about Technology

Jakub also addresses the common misconceptions surrounding the use of ethylene, especially in Post-Soviet countries. Many people believe that using an artificial substance is harmful, and Jakub notes:

"Most people think […] it's bad. They don’t want to hear that it’s nature, it’s normal. And I don't know how to change their minds."

He acknowledges that changing this perception may take time. Despite the progress, Jakub explains that this misconception still poses a challenge for many. 

Reliability and Success

Titbit has been successfully using these generators for five years, confirming their reliability and efficiency. Recently, they have passed a food safety audit. Jakub confidently states:

"If I wasn't satisfied, I wouldn't be using it for five years" .

Why Choose Fresh Produce Instruments?

Fresh Produce Instruments is an official distributor of Catalytic Generator’s products (USA). The Easy-Ripe® Generators provide consistent, non-pressurized ethylene on a continual basis to achieve uniform ripening and degreening. Simply place the generator in the ripening room, adjust the settings, and prepare to be amazed by how effortless and consistently high-quality the fruit ripening process can be.

If you're interested in testing Catalytic Generators, send us an inquiry at az@freshproduceinstruments.com.

Fresh Produce Instrument, European distributor of Catalytic generators, will be also at Fruit Logistica, Berlin, Hall 1.2 stand D-40. Stop by to chat about ethylene and your ripening needs, gain expert ripening tips, and test innovative non-destructive quality control instruments. We look forward to seeing you!