FULLY, The Alliance of Experts for Fresh, Healthy, and Safe Fruit

At a pivotal moment for the citrus sector, as the harvest season begins in the Northern Hemisphere, the upcoming Fruitnet Citrus Congress is set to become a key global reference event. As a sponsor, DECCO will not only provide financial support to enhance the visibility of the important citrus sector but will also participate in the roundtable organized by the Citrus Fruit Congress on postharvest challenges. This will feature an intervention by Enrique Gómez, DECCO's SCM Head.

In doing so, DECCO reaffirms its commitment to technology transfer, innovation, and sustainability. This commitment is reflected in the collaborative FULLY project, launched in 2021, which aims to reduce food waste and improve the quality of citrus fruits available to consumers.

FULLY uses an edible, colorless, and odorless coating based on food-grade additives, specifically designed to extend the shelf life of citrus fruits. This coating not only preserves the fresh, natural appearance of the fruit but also delays skin aging, reducing the occurrence of blemishes and wrinkles. Enrique Clavel, CEO of IBERIANA Frucht, notes:

“We are committed to protecting fruit quality, preserving its fresh-cut properties. The collaboration on this project has allowed us to optimize citrus performance, ensuring the fruit reaches consumers in peak condition.”

The project’s collaborative approach has enabled experts in agriculture, logistics, and technology to work together, optimizing every stage of the process. In this regard, the project has proven to be an example of how cooperation can generate a significant impact on sustainability within the sector. According to Miguel Sanchis, Regional Head for EMEA, India, and Asia:

“The success of the FULLY project lies in the unity of companies committed to reducing food waste and enhancing post-harvest sustainability.”

One of the main benefits of FULLY is its ability to achieve uniform citrus degreening, confirmed through multiple tests conducted in collaboration with various storage facilities. Jaume Santonja, Portfolio Manager for Fungicides, Coatings, and Ethylene Blockers, states:

“Thanks to our coating’s selective gas exchange capacity, we can protect citrus fruits during the degreening process, preserving their freshness and appearance.”

FULLY has focused not only on improving fruit quality but also on providing a comprehensive solution for the industry. Collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Valencia has been crucial to validate the coating's results, analyzing its performance through consumer-tasting tests with trained panels. Elena Sanchis, DECCO Ibérica and EAMEA Technical Manager, states:

“The rigorous analysis of physicochemical and organoleptic parameters has been key to perfecting our coating.”

The project’s impact has been remarkable, with over 100 million kilos of fruit marketed, demonstrating FULLY's potential to transform citrus management in the marketplace. This initiative ensures the freshness and quality of fruit while promoting more sustainable practices in the industry.

The project presentation has garnered significant attention from industry professionals, highlighting the importance of innovation and collaboration in finding solutions that benefit every link in the value chain. Sanchis concludes:

“FULLY is an example of how collaboration can maximize positive impact within the agri-food sector.”

DECCO continues advancing toward a more sustainable future, working to ensure every piece of fruit that reaches the consumer is fresh, healthy, and flavorful. This joint effort, exemplified by the FULLY project, demonstrates that by working together, the entire sector can achieve significant changes in the citrus industry.