OptiCept deepens cooperation with Dole - project in Thailand opens up new business opportunities in the fruit industry
OptiCept (Ticker: OPTI) has signed an agreement with Dole in Thailand to explore how OptiCept's technology platforms, PEF (Pulsed Electric Field) and VI (Vacuum Impregnation), can improve the quality of pineapple rings and pieces in production. The evaluation will also include how PEF can optimize the drying process of pineapples. This pilot project, for which the customer will pay 17,000 Euros, will be conducted in Thailand over 14 days and is scheduled to start in Q3 2024.
OptiCept announced that it is deepening and broadening its collaboration with Dole. Previously, successful tests were conducted to increase the extraction of pineapple juice in the Philippines. Now, the collaboration is expanding with a pilot project in Thailand. The aim is to evaluate how the combination of OptiCept's technology platforms, PEF and VI, can enhance the quality of pineapple rings and pieces, thereby creating a more attractive product through improved texture and color. This improvement aims to open new export markets where such quality is in demand.
The project will also assess the efficiency of the pineapple drying process. OptiCept has previously implemented PEF for industrial-scale drying of carrots. Tests conducted by OptiCept on pineapples have shown similar results to those on carrots, specifically a reduction in drying time by approximately 25%, thereby also reducing energy consumption.
"We are very pleased that the collaboration continues and deepens. What we learn about pineapples can largely be applicable to other fruits and vegetables as well. For OptiCept, this innovation opens doors to new market segments, and we are well positioned with the patent application we submitted in April, which covers this technology. We see great potential in this area." says Thomas Lundqvist, CEO of OptiCept Technologies.
Dole Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd., founded in 1851, is headquartered in Singapore and serves as the global operational headquarters for the Dole Group. Dole is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit, with revenues of approximately 2.5 billion USD.
Dole's operations span 30 countries with 40,000 employees and include about 162 distribution and manufacturing facilities.