Fresh Inset 2024: A Year of Partnerships, Innovation, and Impact

As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on a year marked by significant achievements and advancements in our mission to reduce food waste and enhance the freshness of produce and flowers. Here are the key milestones that defined our journey this year:

• We partnered with Janssen PMP to expand Vidre+™ technology across Europe, focusing on reducing food waste and improving the quality of fresh produce.
• We introduced Vidre+™ Complex to the U.S. market, unlocking the full potential of 1-MCP application across the entire fresh produce and flower supply chain.
• Peter Vriends joins as COO, bringing global sales and technology leadership expertise to Fresh Inset.
• We joined forces with Wassington and LP our packing partner and launched the innovative MCPBag powered by Vidre+™ – an innovation in active packaging.
• Our Vidre+™ technology was officially registered in Peru supporting local producers and exporters in delivering fresher avocados and limes to global markets while minimizing waste and improving profits.
• We joined the EIC Scaling Club which hosts the most promising deep-tech scale-ups and makes them grow into business leaders in their field.

Recognition in the FoodTech 500

The year 2024 began with a major success. In February, we were honored to be listed in the 2023 FoodTech 500 by Forward Fooding. This recognition underscores our commitment to combating food waste through technological innovation and positions us among the leading AgriFoodTech startups globally.

Vidre+™ Impact on Flowers

This year also marked the first time in our company’s history that Vidre+™ technology demonstrated its versatility by effectively extending the vase life of various flowers:

• • Roses: Research indicated that Vidre+™ technology more effectively extends the vase life of cut roses than traditional treatments, maintaining 50% in excellent condition after 10 days (read more here).
  • Orchids: Tests revealed that Vidre+™ stickers can significantly enhance the shelf life and quality of potted orchids, with 80% maintaining good quality after 14 days compared to only 20% of the untreated ones (read more here).

• Carnations: Studies showed that after 10 days of tests, 73% of carnations treated with Vidre+™ maintained excellent quality compared to only 20% of the untreated ones (read more here).

Welcoming Peter Vriends as COO

In March, Peter Vriends joined our team as COO. Peter is a C-level leader with vast experience in building global sales structures and advancing freshness extension technologies (AgroFresh, Chrysal International). Peter Vriends is the latest addition to our team, joining our founders Andrzej Wolan PhD and Krzysztof Czaplicki, and a group of experts that includes Tim Malefyt, Juan Llauro, Mark Zettler, Jeferson Nunes, and Kevin Frye, all with experience at AgroFresh and beyond.

Vidre+™ Technology Registered in Peru

In June, we officially registered Vidre+™ technology in Peru. This milestone enables Peruvian exporters to deliver fresher produce to distant markets, thereby reducing food waste and enhancing product quality.

Webinar Hosted by FoodTech Japan

Also in June, we participated in a webinar hosted by FoodTech Japan, where our CSO, Krzysztof Czaplicki, shared insights into Vidre+™ technology and its role in extending the freshness of produce. Key companies and institutions from the Japanese market, including Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan, and the Japan Bioindustry Association attended the webinar. This event reflected our commitment to engaging with global audiences and sharing knowledge on innovative solutions to food waste.

Awarded “Creators of Positive Technology 2024”

A month later – in July, we received the “Creators of Positive Technology 2024” award in the “Positive Impact Startups 2024. Ecosystem of Change” report. This accolade recognizes our dedication to developing technologies that positively impact society and the environment.

Fresh Inset Expands to the U.S. Market

In August, we introduced Vidre+™, our technology that unlocks the full potential of 1-MCP across the entire supply chain, to the U.S. market. Vidre+™ has received GRAS status from the FDA and offers a versatile solution for various packaging formats, including cardboard boxes, bags, trays, and clamshells. This expansion reflects our dedication to providing innovative and sustainable solutions for supply chains worldwide. (read an interview with Kevin Frye, our VP of market development – North America here).

Launching the MCPBag Powered by Vidre+™

In August, we joined forces with Wassington, our trusted partner and distributor in Argentina, and LP, our packing partner, to launch the innovative MCPBag powered by Vidre+™. This groundbreaking active packaging solution marks a significant milestone as the flexible packaging to integrate Vidre+™ technology.

Partnership with Janssen PMP

In October, we entered into an exclusive partnership with Janssen PMP to commercialize Vidre+™ technology across Europe. This collaboration combines our innovative freshness extension solutions with Janssen PMP’s extensive market presence, aiming to reduce food waste and improve produce quality for consumers.

Membership in the EIC Scaling Club

At the end of October, we officially joined the European Innovation Council (EIC) Scaling Club, aligning with Europe’s most promising deep-tech scale-ups. This membership provides access to a network of innovators and resources, propelling our mission to reduce food waste through advanced packaging solutions (read more here).

Green Eagle Award by Rzeczpospolita

We are ending 2024 with yet another success. In November we were honored with the Green Eagle Award in the Start-Up category by Rzeczpospolita, one of Poland’s leading media outlets. This recognition has proven that our Vidre+™ technology is a game-changer in active packaging, extending the freshness of fruits, vegetables, and flowers while reducing food waste and empowering producers worldwide.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2025 we are deeply grateful to our employees, investors, and partners for their support this year. We’re not slowing down as we head into 2025 — stay tuned for what’s to come!

Thank you for reading this article.

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge about Vidre+™ technology, follow us on LinkedIn or get in touch: krzysztof.czaplicki@freshinset.com.