Key Takeaways
- Fontestad’s Sustainability Initiative: Fontestad, a leading family business in citrus fruit handling and distribution, has reaffirmed its dedication to sustainability.
- Innovative Technology: The company has implemented the AgroFresh Control-Tec™ Eco system to reduce water consumption during fruit washing significantly.
- Water Conservation: This system has enabled Fontestad to save over 70% of its annual water usage.
- Environmental Management: Fontestad’s sustainability plan includes seven areas of environmental management, focusing on water conservation and reducing emissions.
- Future Goals: Fontestad aims to continue adopting innovative technologies to enhance resource efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Fontestad Implements AgroFresh Control-Tec™ Eco System
Fontestad has implemented the AgroFresh Control-Tec™ Ecosystem, an advanced technology designed to reduce water consumption during fruit washing. This addresses water scarcity concerns during the ongoing drought in Spain.
Holistic Sustainability Approach
Francisco Arastey Mercader, Technical Manager at Fontestad, emphasized the company’s comprehensive approach to sustainability. He stated, “Fontestad has consolidated its commitment to sustainability through a comprehensive plan, which encompasses seven areas of environmental management. 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.”
Arastey highlighted the significant impact of the Control-Tec Eco system on water conservation, noting, “This washing system has allowed us to achieve annual savings in water consumption of more than 70%. Working with Control-Tec Eco from AgroFresh has many advantages such as greater precision and consistency. 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.”
Advanced Filtration and Resource Optimization
The Control-Tec Eco system uses advanced filtration and particle removal technology to separate and remove solids and organic matter, ensuring minimal water usage while maintaining effective fruit cleaning and disinfection. The system also automatically adjusts water flow rates, detergent, and biocide doses according to fruit production, optimizing resources and minimizing waste generation.
The CAAE certification of the equipment supports the commitment of both AgroFresh and Fontestad to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Ian Mackellar, Chief Operations Officer at AgroFresh, commented, “Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in the solutions AgroFresh continues to bring customers across the post-harvest produce industry. These solutions not only benefit customers like Fontestad but also contribute to environmental targets measured by our retailers.”
Image provided by AgroFresh
