The first thermal pest control system, unveiled by Lazo TPC Global in February, will be installed in the UK next month.
Organic Farm Foods is to operate the patented system from April.
The process applies a high velocity stream of 100oC air onto the crop and surrounding micro environment to reduce the need for pesticides.
Lazo TPC Global president and ceo Marty Fischer and Frederik van der Monde, managing director of its European subsidiary, undertook a whistle-stop tour of the UK last week, to gauge interest on this side of the Atlantic.
Both the top-fruit and soft-fruit industries were targeted during the trip, while some initial talks were held with the salad sector.
The UK trip came after the California-based firm entered into a strategic partnership with Belgian company Univeg last month, which grants it exclusive rights for developing the patented technology in several countries including Benelux, South Africa, Turkey and Latin American countries.
Van der Monde told FPJ: “There is enormous pressure today on everything to do with production - growers want more money, retailers want square apples, the EU is proposing to ban pesticides and consumers wants strawberries from next door even when it’s winter.
“We have entered the market at the right moment. Europe is an enormous opportunity for us because it is the biggest trading platform for fresh produce in the world.”
Tests are being carried out on a range of crops worldwide, including Brazilian melons and pineapples and Mexican spring onions. So far, the results appear to be better on fruit than on vegetables.
The firm is in the second stage of establishing a certification process for crops grown using this method.
Fischer added: “TPC technology reduces remarkably the amount of chemicals required…
“But so far, we do not now the limitations or the potential of the system; we are learning as we go.”
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