Interko Presents Major Upgrade for RipePilot

Interko , the global leader for the design, manufacture and installation of state-of-the-art fresh fruit ripening rooms, has unveiled one of the biggest improvements to date for its popular automatic ripening control system RipePilot with the introduction of an invaluable reporting function.

Initially developed to fulfil the demands of a leading German fruit trader, the new functionality add-on enables the ripener to easily generate a complete report of the entire ripening cycle to overhaul the monitoring and traceability of their customer's fruit.

Chris Maat, Interko’s Managing Director/Partner, reveals

“This is a real step-forward for RipePilot. Our technology is now able to produce a detailed report of all the data that has been measured and recorded during the ripening process. It allows customers to monitor their fruit ripening like never before – something the supermarkets in Germany demand in particular. Ripeners who were already creating manual reports now have a much more complete overview by combining the data collected by RipePilot with their own manual visual and quality checks in one report.”

Launched at the end of 2022, RipePilot is a game-changer for ripening operators. The sensor-based programme, which features a market-exclusive fail-safe mode, allows operators to go one step further in automating, monitoring, and tracing their ripening
process. The system cleverly optimises the ripening cycle to deliver perfect quality fruit and shelf-life, with minimal product loss and lower energy consumption.

The technology has proved extremely popular. Currently, RipePilot is used in over 60 different ripening sites, and well over 300 ripening rooms installed by Interko. RipePilot can be pre-fitted or retrofitted within Interko’s Ultimo, Optimo, Axesso, and Mobilo rooms.

Pre-Cooling In Demand for Greater Efficiency

Improving operational efficiency remains top of mind across the global fresh produce industry as cost challenges persist. To that end, Interko’s orders have risen for the design,build, and installation of modern post-harvest pre-cooling rooms for fresh fruit.

This year Interko has installed a large, bespoke pre-cooling project in Colombia for an avocado packer, as well as a multi-use facility with several pre-cooling rooms for a major Peruvian fresh produce supplier.

Chris Maat, Interko’s Managing Director/Partner,  explains:

“Traditional pre-cooling rooms are fitted with older fans that generate a much lower cooling capacity which can cause the fruit to begin to dehydrate. By harnessing the core technology of Interko’s super-efficient, reversible Reverso fan design, our modern coolers can improve the air flow significantly, and, therefore, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the pre-cooling cycle. This means that fresh produce packers and suppliers who need to cool down their fruit before shipment can achieve
much better fruit quality, less fruit dehydration, and greater energy efficiency.”

Following last year’s successful restructure, Interko is experiencing a strong 2025. Customers, especially in the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Asia, Africa, and South America, are turning increasingly to Interko for its market-leading energy-efficient solutions to pre-cool and ripen bananas, avocados, and mangoes, as well as processed fruit, which is a burgeoning market for ripening.

Free Consultations at Fruit Attraction 2025

Any ripener, retailer, importer, distributor, exporter, packer, or processor who is interested in ripening, pre-cooling, or de-greening fruit in the most energy-efficient way for optimum quality and at minimal cost is invited to meet with Interko at next week’s Fruit Attraction 2025 in Spain.

The Interko experts are offering complimentary consultations during the three-day trade fair in Madrid. From 30 September to 2 October, the team will be available in Hall 10, Stand 10A25 where Interko will co-exhibit with Fresh Produce Instruments and Catalytic Generators.

Chris Maat (Managing Director/Partner) and Narcís Guinart (Product Manager), who both speak Spanish, will be present, together with Anna Zegveld (Sales Director) and Nova Smink (Junior Sales & Marketing Executive).

Abou Interko

Interko is the global leader for the design, manufacture and installation of cost-effective, high-quality and low-maintenance ripening rooms for fresh fruit, and cooling systems for the horticulture sector.

Founded nearly 60 years ago in the Netherlands, Interko develops precise, advanced and energy-efficient systems that are built to last. Since its creation, Interko has installed over 7,000 ripening rooms for bananas, avocados, mangoes, papayas and tomatoes – the earliest of which are still in operation and performing well today. Every year Interko installs around 200 ripening rooms.

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