Edible coatings for fruit and vegetables

ICL Innovation seeks novel formulations for edible coatings of fruit and vegetables to prolong shelf life, improve product appearance, retain water content and texture, prevent rot and preserve flavor and aroma. 

Background

In today's fruit waxing coating process, natural wax is washed and a natural or petroleum based alternative applied, with or without dyes and fungicides.This is primarily done to prevent water loss and subsequent spoilage and aesthetics flaws- shine, shrinkage and the like. Other advantages include longer shelf life, in more favorable conditions, lower yield loss due to rot, and better product quality. Emulsions are commonly used. On vegetables, blended paraffin waxes, as oil or paste, is the common practice. 

ICL is selling a variety of chemicals and fertilizers for agriculture, and is now seeking to expand its product line in the area of fruit and vegetable coatings. 

We are looking for

• Innovative and stable formulations to heat, moisture and UV exposure
• Improved performance in all aforementioned parameters compared with current alternatives
• Competitive cost
• Regulatory compliance in target markets
• Use of commercially available, food grade chemical entities
• Coatings that meet Kosher and Halal criteria

Our criteria

• Performance: visual, taste and texture parameters, shelf life, microbiological parameters
• Cost

Information on ICL's current product line can be found in the ICL's web page.

As a technology incubator, ICL Innovation is looking only for innovative technologies that may be further developed and commercialized through Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. (ICL F&C) - ICL Haifa business unit.  

We Offer:

• ICL F&C is the industrial partner who will implement the technology and commercialize it
• Joint development
• Full R&D funding for selected technologies
• Analytical laboratories, pilot facilities and high level R&D teams based on IMI TAMI- ICL's research and development institute
• IP support under exclusive license terms