AgroFresh Solutions Inc (NASDAQ: AGFS), a global leader in produce freshness solutions, has made a minority investment in RipeLocker LLC and its proprietary system for low-pressure vacuum containers that aim to extend the shelf life and reduce the decay of perishable produce.
A start-up company led by food industry veteran George Lobisser, RipeLocker uses a patent-pending system to provide a portable solution for maintaining atmospheric pressure, humidity and gas composition to best preserve the quality of perishable fruits. The firm seeks to resolve the issue of cost-effectively maintaining produce quality as it goes through adverse operating and environmental conditions along the post-harvest distribution chain.
RipeLocker seeks to leverage the existing logistics chain for storing and transporting perishable food but with longer shelf life for retailers and consumers, and less loss of produce and significant added value for growers. It is being tested by major fruit growers and packers.
Among key potential markets for RipeLocker are highly perishable fruits and vegetables. It has the potential to significantly reduce damage frequently experienced using current storage and shipping processes. This is particularly true for crops like cherries that are increasingly being exported overseas via ocean freight.
Lobisser was added to AgroFresh’s board of directors in September 2016. He has been in the post-harvest produce business for more than 15 years, and served as president and chief executive officer of Pace International LLC for 12 years prior to its sale to Valent BioSciences.
For more information, go to www.AgroFresh.com.
