Netherlands-based Interko, which designs, manufactures and installs state-of-the-art fresh fruit ripening rooms, announced that it has cut the energy consumption of its flagship Ultimo rooms by a further 20 per cent, after launching the second generation of its revolutionary Reverso reversible fans.
Ultimo’s design and technology also has been adapted to enable the room to be used for pre-cooling fruit. Interko says more improvements will be made later in 2024 as it positions itself as offering the most advanced high-quality, low-cost fruit ripening technology.
The team will be on hand during Fruit Logistica in Berlin this week (7-9 February) to discuss those developments and provide free consultations to those who make appointments.
“Energy efficiency remains a number one goal for fruit ripeners given the ongoing pressure on global energy prices.,” Chris Maat, Interko’s Managing Director/Partner, says.
Why Ultimo is different
Ultimo has long been the world’s top ripening solution for bananas, avocados, and mangoes.
The key differentiator is its unique airflow which ripens large volumes of fruit to the same desired level of maturity. The room can be installed as a single, double, or triple-tier format, and accommodate various pallet sizes, making Ultimo ideal for small to large operators anywhere in the world.
“Ultimo’s unique design, with one Reverso fan per pair of pallets, creates an equal flow of air moving laterally, rather than longitudinally, across the room,” Maat says. “This ensures that all fruit is ripened evenly throughout the room and that the air loss is minimal. Having less free air within the room helps to control the ripening environment and to reduce the energy consumption.
“Talking to our customers, like Fyffes, they cannot see any other ripening room that beats Ultimo. 99% of our competitors use a longitudinal airflow in their ripening rooms which makes a significant difference in performance”
Free consultations / Fruit Logistica 2024
Interko is offering complimentary consultations to anyone interested in ripening, pre-cooling or de-greening fruit in the most energy-efficient way and at minimal cost.
Meetings can take place on site, remotely, or at Fruit Logistica. Interko will exhibit in the usual spot of Hall 1.2, Stand D-40.
Maat, Anna Zegveld (Sales Director), and Narcís Guinart (Project Manager) will be present at the annual trade show.
On the stand, they will be joined by Greg Akins (President CEO), and Steve Page (Vice-President & COO) of Catalytic Generators, a US-based supplier of ethylene products for ripening and de-greening.
