Fruit & Vegetables

Protecting the natural flavours and texture of fruit and vegetables at all steps in the processing and distribution chain

Fresh tomatoes on the vine

Across the fruit and vegetable value chain – from harvesting to distribution, BOC experts have the expertise and technologies to help you control temperature, improve processing conditions, scale production capacity, increase product yield and ultimately increase food shelf-life naturally. 

Our cryogenic cooling and freezing technologies are designed to maintain the original quality of sensitive foodstuffs such as raspberries and strawberries, while also meeting consumer demands for longer shelf-life and year-round availability.  

Technology that bears fruit 

Rapid freezing enables delicate fruits in particular to retain their texture, shape and flavour after defrosting. In fact, compared with other freezing techniques, liquid nitrogen coupled with our CRYOLINE® IQF technology has been shown to reduce cell damage to berries, for instance.  

In addition, we offer a selection of modified atmosphere packages (MAP) to maintain the freshness based on the respiration rate, temperature, packaging film, pack volume and fill weight of different fruits and vegetables. 

Gases

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 

Carbon dioxide is used in Modified Atmosphere Packing (MAP) to inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria

Liquid carbon dioxide is used in cryogenic freezing & chilling applications

Carbon dioxide is used in the carbonation of fizzy drinks and for food inerting applications

Oxygen (O2)

Oxygen is used in Modified Atmosphere Packing (MAP) to maintain the quality, flavour, texture and appearance of food

Nitrogen (N2) 

Nitrogen is used in Modified Atmosphere Packing (MAP) to prevent oxidation and reduce odours 

Liquid nitrogen (LIN) is used in cryogenic freezing & chilling applications 

Nitrogen can also be used for food inerting applications and for increasing the strength of plastic drinks bottles

Gas Mixtures 

Oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide can be combined in various quantities to produce the ideal preservation gas for any food type. 

Supply

Cylinders

BOC Food Fresh cylinders and Manifolded Cylinder Pallets (MCP) have been developed for food businesses using modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).

Food Fresh cylinders can be supplied as single gases or as mixtures. Your BOC sales and technical specialist will advise on the appropriate mixing equipment, or pre-mix cylinders. Where a pre-mix gas is chosen, BOC will advise on the exact gas mixture for packing your product.

Cryospeed

BOC’s Cryospeed service gives you access to larger volumes of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide in cryogenic liquid form. These are stored in fully maintained stainless steel vacuum-insulated vessels on your site and are filled by our Cryospeed operators. Our storage vessels are set up for the pressures, flow rates and sizes appropriate to each customer. All rented vessels are fully maintained under the supply agreement with BOC. 

Bulk

High gas volumes can be stored in BOC bulk cryogenic vessels. These are installed at the customer’s site, providing a continuous and secure supply of oxygen, nitrogen or carbon-dioxide. Our Customer Engineering Service (CES) designs, installs and maintains the vessel in line with customer requirements and in compliance with all the relevant regulations (such as the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000). Our On-Stream service can also cover customer-owned systems.  

On-site generation 

For those needing generated nitrogen, the BOC Ecovar-mini range provides an on-site generation solution at a range of pressures, flow rate and purity. On-site generation requirements are assessed on a site-specific basis to ensure the resulting set-up will cater for your needs now and in the future. 

Boost the performance of your food manufacturing business with cryogenic freezing