Citrus Supplier Fontestad Optimizes AgroFresh Control-Tec™ Eco System; Ian MacKellar and Francisco Arastey Mercader Comment

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AgroFresh Solutions is broadening its network of produce partners, welcoming renowned citrus distributor Fontestad into the fold. The company recently announced the implementation of AgroFresh’s Control-Tec™ Eco system, which will help Fontestad navigate limited water resources during the ongoing drought in Spain.

“Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in the solutions AgroFresh continues to bring customers across the post-harvest produce industry,” Ian Mackellar, Chief Operations Officer at AgroFresh, commented. “These solutions not only benefit customers like Fontestad but also contribute to environmental targets measured by our retailers.”

Control-Tec Eco’s advanced filtration and particle removal technology allows Fontestad to separate and remove solids and organic matter, ensuring minimal water usage while maintaining effective fruit cleaning and disinfection. In addition, the cutting-edge system automatically adjusts water flow rates, detergent, and biocide doses according to fruit production, thus optimizing resources and minimizing waste generation.

"Fontestad has consolidated its commitment to sustainability through a comprehensive plan, which encompasses seven areas of environmental management,” said Francisco Arastey Mercader, Technical Manager at Fontestad. “From water management to the reduction of atmospheric emissions, the company is implementing concrete measures to preserve the planet's resources and reduce its environmental footprint."

As a press release noted, the use of this innovation enables Fontestad to significantly reduce water consumption in its fruit washing process.

"This washing system has allowed us to achieve annual savings in water consumption of more than 70 percent,” Arastey Mercader added. “Working with Control-Tec Eco from AgroFresh has many advantages such as greater precision and consistency, as it is an automated system, it provides a precise and consistent dosing of product to help ensure that the right amounts are used in each washing and rinsing process. It also saves time and resources, as well as optimizing resources, which is not only beneficial from an economic perspective, but also from a sustainability and environmental care approach. At Fontestad, we will continue to seek and adopt innovative technologies that allow us to effectively conserve natural resources while maintaining the quality of our products."

Read more about this successful alliance here.

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