
16 Jan The RAFT Kit Advantage: Extending Shelf Life And Reducing Losses
Transportation of fresh produce across continents is a finicky business. Without the proper interventions, produce can ripen too quickly, experience a loss in weight, or worse, can be rejected at the receiving port. For exporters of perishable goods, these scenarios are a logistical and financial nightmare.
Thankfully, Reefer Air Flow Technology’s RAFT kit for perishable cargo is making monumental waves in the industry. This revolutionary solution not only helps to keep your produce fresher for longer, but also safeguards your profitability.
A Scientific Edge: The Stellenbosch Study
A groundbreaking study by the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa highlighted the immense benefits that accompany advanced airflow management in refrigerated containers. The study drew a comparison of control containers – one with a competing airflow product (Technology 1), and the other with the RAFT kit (Technology 2).
The study concluded that airflow technology significantly improves temperature regulation. Even more impressive, the RAFT kit was proven a clear winner, outperforming its competition by maintaining consistent cooling and minimising spoilage risks.
Superior Airflow Management
The RAFT kit is constructed with an innovative approach to airflow. The standard airflow in a refrigerated container mostly flows vertically through the pallets of produce. In addition, a significant amount of the chilled air flows around the back of the pallets and over the top to the air return vents.
The combination of these two factors often result in “hot spots” – uneven temperatures throughout the container. The RAFT kit solves this issue by shifting airflow from vertical to horizontal, accelerating chilled air throughout the container. This creates a culture of even temperature distribution that keeps the temperature throughout the entire cargo closer to the set point.
This consistent cooling is especially important for climacteric fruits, which naturally release ethylene gas as they ripen. The RAFT kit slows the respiratory rate of the fruit by maintaining a stable, colder environment, reducing ethylene production and delaying ripening. This extends the shelf life and improves the quality of produce upon arrival.
Less Moisture Loss, Less Weight Loss
Fruits aren’t just about taste; weight matters too, especially when they’re sold by the kilogram. Thanks to the improved airflow, the RAFT kit assists in maintaining relative humidity loss levels inside the container due to the reduction in temperature differentials. With stable relative humidity levels in the container, your product retains its weight, making sure you deliver produce that is both fresh and full-bodied.
The Cost Of Rejection: Avoiding Expensive Setbacks
For exporters aligning with Pre-Sterilisation and In-Transit Cold Treatment protocols, precision is everything. If the fruit pulp temperature strays outside the required range, entire shipments can be rejected at the receiving port. The RAFT kit’s ability to maintain consistent cooling significantly reduces this risk, keeping fruit pulp temperatures within protocol limits and ensuring compliance. Avoiding rejection saves you from the costly process of rerouting rejected produce.
Quick, Easy, And Universal
Beyond its performance, the RAFT kit is a breeze to install in refrigerated shipping containers and is compatible with any perishable product packed on pallets. This adaptability makes it a practical choice for exporters across various produce sectors and countries.
Freshness, Delivered
The RAFT kit is a remarkable tool for anyone shipping perishable goods. Reducing transport-related losses, extending shelf life, and ensuring protocol compliance, it delivers peace of mind. Keep your cargo cool, your produce fresh – and your reputation intact – with the RAFT kit.
Interested in learning more? Get a quote for RAFT from the DunLash team today.