Vidre+ significantly improves value at each link of the food value chain

Food tech is reshaping food markets. At times of inflation pressure, disruption of food supply chains caused by the war in Ukraine, and the pandemic, food businesses turn to new technologies. Food tech is also an answer when we ask how to tackle such global problems as food waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change.

According to Deloitte's report "Food value chain. A challenge for the next century", "the food value chain is the network of stakeholders involved in growing, processing, and selling the food that consumers eat — from farm to table." As it forms a network, it is not enough to act within one field while ignoring others. That is why food technologies should be referred to as all the links of the value supply chain. 

Our innovative Vidre+ technology is a game-changer as it preserves freshness and produce quality at each link of the fresh produce value chain. It can also remarkably mitigate supply chain deficiencies in the long run. Vidre+, a simple-to-use technology, offers solutions for each step of the post-harvest supply chain.

Food value chain

Facilitated postharvest handling

1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) has been used worldwide for over 20 years. It is widely recognized as a safe and excellent way to protect post-harvest produce from the damaging effects of ethylene. At the postharvest handling phase of the value chain, Vidre+ solutions significantly add value to the food value chain. Our 2nd generation 1-MCP products enable much broader use of 1-MCP than the first-generation ones. Through Fresh Inset's new technology, 1-MCP is not released immediately but gradually - over many hours. This allows for new 2nd generation products to not require dedicated storage infrastructure for effective use.

Vidre+ in the form of stickers can be easily applied within the packaging, making them a perfect solution for many fruits and vegetables, far beyond current crops (primarily apples). This makes the market much larger than it is for traditional 1-MCP products.

Moreover, while using Vidre+ stickers, storage time in a sealed room for 12- 24 hours is not required. It means that packers using Vidre+ can continue the normal handling process. This way 12-24 hours of handling time is saved, and the products can be shipped immediately without delay.

Storage. When time is money.

Among other benefits of using Vidre+ stickers, storage flexibility is on a shortlist. There is no need for airtight storage in most cases. Vidre+ gives packers the option to store the fruits for longer time periods without losing quality. Storage flexibility may also affect profit margins. As with many seasonal fruits and vegetables, there are large price variations across the season. Low prices occur during times of high supply, while higher at the beginning or end of the season. Therefore, it can make a lot of business sense to be able to store some of the seasonal fruits and vegetables and sell the produce at a time of higher margins.

In addition, the use of Vidre+ allows for storing fruits and vegetables at higher temperatures with no risk for their quality. This leads to significant energy savings, which in times of soaring gas prices may be crucial for the business's P&L.

Transportation with less waste

Vidre+ offers room for improvement in the transportation phase of the value chain. As there is no need to keep the products for 12-24 hours, transportation can start sooner, allowing more perishable products to be shipped earlier. This also translates to less waste during the transportation process.

Considering that the freshness of products is significantly prolonged, new geographical markets can now become available. For example, Asian markets can become open for South American growers like never before.

Positive impact on retail and the consumer

Vidre+ stickers slows down food degradation allowing fruits and vegetables to maintain a longer shelf life of produce. Retail players can increase their profitability via increased sales, maintaining quality, and reducing costs with less wasted produce.

Thanks to Vidre+, fresh produce keeps the quality and appearance of fruits and vegetables longer, thus allowing retailers to maintain a good reputation. At the same time, the customers receive a premium quality product with a guarantee of higher nutritional value.

We are carrying out a series of tests of our Vidre+ technology on various crops and varieties. We do that because we value our customers and want to offer them the best and most proven solutions. Contact us for more details regarding the added value to the fresh produce value chain.