Interko Presents Major Upgrade for RipePilot

25 September 2025

Greater functionality within the ripening control system means fruit suppliers can truly satisfy supermarket traceability requirements.

Interko, the global leader for the design, manufacture and installation of state-of-the-art fresh fruit ripening rooms, has unveiled one of the biggest improvements to date for its popular automatic ripening control system RipePilot with the introduction of an invaluable reporting function. 

Initially developed to fulfil the demands of a leading German fruit trader, the new functionality add-on enables the ripener to easily generate a complete report of the entire ripening cycle to overhaul the monitoring and traceability of their customer's fruit. 

Chris Maat, Interko’s Managing Director/Partner, reveals: “This is a real step-forward for RipePilot. Our technology is now able to produce a detailed report of all the data that has been measured and recorded during the ripening process. It allows customers to monitor their fruit ripening like never before – something the supermarkets in Germany demand in particular. Ripeners who were already creating manual reports now have a much more complete overview by combining the data collected by RipePilot with their own manual visual and quality checks in one report.”

Launched at the end of 2022, RipePilot is a game-changer for ripening operators. The sensor-based programme, which features a market-exclusive fail-safe mode, allows operators to go one step further in automating, monitoring, and tracing their ripening process. The system cleverly optimises the ripening cycle to deliver perfect quality fruit and shelf-life, with minimal product loss and lower energy consumption.

The technology has proved extremely popular. Currently, RipePilot is used in over 60 different ripening sites, and well over 300 ripening rooms installed by Interko. RipePilot can be pre-fitted or retrofitted within Interko’s Ultimo, Optimo, Axesso, and Mobilo rooms.

Pre-Cooling In Demand for Greater Efficiency

Improving operational efficiency remains top of mind across the global fresh produce industry as cost challenges persist. To that end, Interko’s orders have risen for the design, build, and installation of modern post-harvest pre-cooling rooms for fresh fruit.

This year Interko has installed a large, bespoke pre-cooling project in Colombia for an avocado packer, as well as a multi-use facility with several pre-cooling rooms for a major Peruvian fresh produce supplier.

Maat explains: “Traditional pre-cooling rooms are fitted with older fans that generate a much lower cooling capacity which can cause the fruit to begin to dehydrate. By harnessing the core technology of Interko’s super-efficient, reversible Reverso fan design, our modern coolers can improve the air flow significantly, and, therefore, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the pre-cooling cycle. This means that fresh produce packers and suppliers who need to cool down their fruit before shipment can achieve much better fruit quality, less fruit dehydration, and greater energy efficiency.”

Following last year’s successful restructure, Interko is experiencing a strong 2025. Customers, especially in the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Asia, Africa, and South America, are turning increasingly to Interko for its market-leading energy-efficient solutions to pre-cool and ripen bananas, avocados, and mangoes, as well as processed fruit, which is a burgeoning market for ripening.

Free Consultations at Fruit Attraction 2025

Any ripener, retailer, importer, distributor, exporter, packer, or processor who is interested in ripening, pre-cooling, or de-greening fruit in the most energy-efficient way for optimum quality and at minimal cost is invited to meet with Interko at next week’s Fruit Attraction 2025 in Spain.

The Interko experts are offering complimentary consultations during the three-day trade fair in Madrid. From 30 September to 2 October, the team will be available in Hall 10, Stand 10A25 where Interko will co-exhibit with Fresh Produce Instruments and Catalytic Generators.

Chris Maat (Managing Director/Partner) and Narcís Guinart (Product Manager), who both speak Spanish, will be present, together with Anna Zegveld (Sales Director) and Nova Smink (Junior Sales & Marketing Executive).

Read more:

PROGNOSFRUIT 2026 – Constance, Germany, 5–7 August 2026

11 May 2026
The Prognosfruit Conference is Europe’s leading annual event for the apple and pear sector, bringing together growers from across Europe and beyond. Prognosfruit 2026 will take place in Constance, Germany, from 5 to 7 August 2026 and will mark a special milestone, celebrating 50 years of uninterrupted editions of the event. Registration is now open, and stakeholders are welcome to register via the Prognosfruit website. »

India-Australia Food Beverage Buyer Seller Meet 2026: new opportunities for the Indian food sector in Australia

11 May 2026
From 11 to 15 June 2026, Melbourne and Sydney will host the India-Australia Food Beverage Buyer Seller Meet 2026, an event designed to strengthen trade cooperation. Trade data shows that the growth potential is significant. India’s food and beverage exports to the Oceania region reached USD 528.2 million in 2024, accounting for 2.4% of the region’s total imports, which stood at USD 21.8 billion. »

SE ASIA Meet Up 2026 Full Program Announced

10 May 2026
Southeast Asia’s shifting consumer landscape Southeast Asia is one of the most diverse and dynamic regions for the global fresh fruit and vegetable business. What are the hottest consumer markets? How is retail evolving across the region? And how can fresh produce marketers best position their products? Going digital: new ways to build fresh produce brands While China continues to blaze a trail in digital marketing, online »
PARTNERS