CONTINNOVA PROJECT - Innovative intermodal and isothermal container equipped with Controlled Atmosphere for shipping fresh produce

CONTINNOVA project was funded by Apulia Regional government within the Call on Technological Cluster for Innovations. It started in November 2015 and will be concluded within November 2017. The main objective will be to create a refrigerated isothermal container equipped with innovative technologies, including advanced sensors for the control of the atmosphere composition, during the transport of fresh fruit and vegetables. The final goal is to ensure the quality and safety of fruit and vegetables products of regional Apulia exports along the distribution chain. The partnership consists of the IFAC spa (leader), the companies TERA and Ditro, the Department of Agro-Food Sciences, Food and Environment (SAFE) of the University of Foggia, the Departments of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management (DMMM) and Civil Engineering, Environmental, Land, Construction and Chemistry (DICATECh) of the Polytechnic of Bari, Spin-Off INGENIUM, Apulia Food Fingerprint Lab Network and the Institutes of CNR ISSIA (Institute of Intelligent Systems Research For Automation) and ISPA (Institute of Sciences of Food Production), the latter with the role of Scientific Adviser. The industrial companies designed and are realizing the container, firstly as Prototype (in scale) and then in real dimension. While, the scientific partners researched the best atmosphere composition and/or atmosphere pre-treatment to be implemented in the Container in order to transport in optimal condition table grape and fresh artichoke. In the last work package of the project, the innovative container will be validated during the simulation of an experimental transport of table grape. Finally, the innovative container will be made available to Association of producer and exporter of horticultural products (APEO) to test its performance in preserving quality and extending shelf-life of the vegetables transported.