Food & Biobased Research has modernised and placed its post-harvest research facilities for fresh products in one building, Qualitron4 (Q4). The innovation impulse was needed to be able to give the right answers to current questions in the knowledge domain. The building's modern design supports researchers by allowing them to efficiently perform sound experiments.
The building was officially opened on 11 June during Food & Biobased Research’s Inspiration Day. Mr. M. Gerritsen, secretary of Horticulture Commodity Board, performed the opening ceremony. Much of the chain-oriented research is carried out in projects that are aimed at the horticulture sector. These projects are supported by funds from the Horticulture Commodity Board.
Q4 contains about twenty cold stores with accurate humidity and temperature control; a new interactive controlled-atmosphere conditioning (ca. 100 units); a packaging laboratory; three display areas for flowers, plants and fruit & vegs; several quality control areas equipped with state-of-the-art apparatus; a few raw labs; and one twenty-metre long test area for lorries and containers (ATP test station).
Chain- and industry-oriented solutions
The Q4 facilities play an essential part in achieving chain- and industry-oriented solutions for the following topics:
• Promoting sustainable distribution
- Limiting food loss by extending shelf life
• Developing alternative, sustainable ‘fresh’ transport options
- Train, boat, inland shipping instead of truck or plane
- Chain information systems: business intelligence, active RFID sensors
• Healthy Eating through better taste
- Controlling the ripening and ageing of fruits and vegetables
• Guaranteeing the quality of fresh products in global supply chains
- Fruit & vegs, flowers, plants, bulbs, trees, meat and fish
- New generation of agents for flower treatment
• User-friendliness and added value
- Use of protective (gas)packaging for meals and ready-made products
• Less risk of loss for long-term fruit and vegetable storage
- Interactive storage with new sensors (DCS)
• Measuring quality
- Destructive, non-destructive, camera inspection systems, micro-arrays
• Technical innovations in storage and transport technology
- Control systems, decontamination, air treatment
- Energy-saving possibilities
• Recommendations for construction projects, cool stores, storage conditions, fresh logistics