Retrofit can decrease energy consumption in your ripening rooms by 70%

INTERKO, a global leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of innovative ripening rooms, is ready to introduce Ripe Pilot to customers worldwide. Ripe Pilot is a ripening control system equipped with a fail-safe mode, the sensor-based program that helps operators to go one step further in monitoring, automating, and tracing their ripening process. Retrofit consists of innovative fans that are able to be monitored and controlled in a way that can seriously reduce energy consumption in your ripening rooms.

Chris Maat, Managing Director at Interko, explains:

"We have carried out tests in a facility in Germany. Both the customer and ourselves were impressed with the results. By using Retrofit, we were able to generate the same differential pressure, resulting in a 70% reduction in energy consumption. Electricity prices remain very high, so RoI in this case is very quick."

Answering the question if Retrofit and Ripe Pilot can only be offered with new installations.

Mr Maat says: 

"Ripe Pilot is compatible with most existing ripening systems in the world. So, with only a few small changes in the existing ripening room, savings on electricity can be made. Rebuilding ripening rooms from scratch is by no means necessary. Each installation is considered individually and a thorough examination of the facility is conducted before we can make the necessary upgrade recommendations".

He adds that Interko proudly includes Ripe Pilot in all new installations worldwide, however, a Retrofit option will only be made available to customers within Europe.

During recent years, Interko has been focusing on raising efficiency and reducing the use of raw materials, in order to cut costs for its customers. The Dutch company has recently introduced REVERSO 2.0 fans, this new version reduces operational costs by 20% for ripeners. 

Chris Maat noted that Interko can install ripening rooms with all the latest innovative technologies for retailers, wholesalers, distributors and importers in Asia and worldwide. Interko’s ripening rooms allow operators not only to improve product quality and shelf-life, but also save on operational costs, at the same time energy consumption is lower (compared to competitors).

Interko’s lineup consists of 4 state of the art ripening rooms: Axesso allows operators to remove a single pallet at any time during the ripening process. ULTIMO caters for larger scale ripening operations, up to 90 pallets can be ripened in one cycle! OPTIMO has 4 individual ripening zones and offers fantastic flexibility at an entry level price point. MOBILO offers ripening that can be performed anywhere, in containerised form. Between these 4 rooms, customers will be able to ripen bananas, avocados, tomatoes, pears, mangoes, papayas, apricots, peaches, kiwifruit.

At Asia Fruit Logistica (6th-8th September, Asia World Expo, Hong Kong) Interko will be present and without the commitment of a stand. If you would like to discuss Retrofit or Ripe Pilot, you think that Interko can help you with your ripening needs, you would like to install new rooms or make an upgrade, be sure to schedule a meeting with Chris and Anna here.

Alternatively, please send your enquiry to info@interko.com (Interko will soon start scheduling meetings for Fruit Attraction in Madrid as well).