Reduce spoilage with advanced CO2 technology for produce.
Innovative Post-Harvest Solutions
Reduce spoilage with advanced CO2 technology for produce.
Innovative Post-Harvest Solutions
About CO2 West
Our Mission
At CO2 West, we are dedicated to revolutionizing the agriculture industry with our innovative post-harvest technology.
To deliver simple, affordable, and effective atmosphere-control solutions that improve produce quality and reduce postharvest losses.
The CO₂ West Advantage
Unlike sealed-bag or machinery-dependent systems (like Tectrol), CO₂ West delivers freshness benefits without equipment, sealing, or gas cylinders.
Just pads + humidity + a vented pallet cover.
The Problem We Solve
Strawberries break down rapidly due to:
• High respiration rate
• Condensation
• Botrytis mold pressure
• Temperature fluctuations during transit
CO₂ West stabilizes the pallet’s micro-environment, helping reduce spoilage and extending marketable life.
CO₂ WEST — Freshness System for Palletized Strawberries
A controlled CO₂ release system activated by natural humidity inside a standard vented pallet cover.
No equipment. No sealed bags. No added labor.
Technical Specifications
• Pad Size: 24" x 36"
• Pads Per Pallet: 2
• Activation: Natural humidity
• CO₂ Release Duration: 7–14 days
• Temperature Range: 32–38°F
• Pallet Type: Any standard strawberry pallet
Use Cases
• Cooling facilities
• Field loading
• Cross-dock operations
• LT and SL shipments
• Export containers
Advantages Over Competitors
Vs. Tectrol:
• No machines
• No sealed bags
• No special training
• Fraction of the cost
Vs. PeakFresh:
• Better mold suppression via CO₂
• Stronger effect during transit
• Easier to apply
FAQ
Q: Do I need to seal the pallet bottom?
No — the system is designed for vented-top covers with no bottom seal.
Q: How is CO₂ activated?
Natural humidity from the fruit and cooling environment.
Q: Are the pads safe?
Yes — CO₂ is food-safe and widely used in controlled-atmosphere packaging.
Q: How long do the pads last?
7–14 days depending on conditions.
BENEFITS TO THE INDUSTRY
· The new CO2 System requires less handling by the shipper during the “gas process”, which results in fewer rejects because of bruising.
· The berries will arrive at the distributor or retail warehouse with a firmer, brighter appearance because of our gas vapor approach (versus the harsh, low temperature, dry gas applied by the old system).
· Consumers buy fresh food with their eyes. The berries will look better and sales will increase.
· Shrink loss due to berry spoilage before being sold will go down. It is a win-win for the grower, shipper, retailer, and consumer.
· AND: This new technology, with its benefits to the industry, is available at no increase in cost.
To prove the effectiveness and benefits of the new CO2 delivery system, we accepted a challenge from the company of the old, original system to do a comparative test. They spelled out the protocol for the test. IT was a three shipment test to a Midwest retailer.
RESULTS
Discarded Berries
CO2 Technologies 0.3%
Tectrol 0.6% (50% higher!)
Berries requiring trimming for wet spots
CO2 Technologies 5.5%
Tectrol 6.5% (18% higher!)
CO2 Pulp Temps Tectrol Pulp Temps
Top 38.8° 39.6°
Middle 41.4° 42.2°
Bottom 41.1° 42.9°.
CO2 West pallets arrive colder!
HOW DO WE DIFFER FROM THE “35 YEAR OLD SYSTEM?”
CO2 Technologies offers a new delivery system that will not only inhibit the growth of bacteria, but will deliver a more wholesome berry with a longer shelf life for the retailer and consumer.
We deliver the precise amount of CO2 required on a continuous basis with a CO2 vapor that keeps the surface of the berries smooth and bright, yet with enough carbon dioxide in the bag to control the growth of botrytis. This is done with a computer calculation of the head space of the pallet and the gas release required.
The original 35 year-old system for subjecting pallets of berries to CO2 uses a tank of CO2, which subjects the berries to a very dry, low temperature gas that dehydrates the surface of the berries.