Aiming for zero fruit loss

BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM

Dole is involved in the business of growing and processing fruits in Thailand and Philippines. These fruits primarily include Pineapple, Banana, Papaya, Guava, and Mango, and a smaller quantity of Watermelon, Aloe Vera, Mandarin Orange and Rambutan.

Before our products reach the distribution stage, we lose and waste fruits, or parts of fruit, due to various reasons:

1. Visual and specification requirements for quality at farm/factories - inedible fruit parts that are not used in the current product portfolio
2. By-products from factories including the pressed pulp of skin and seeds/stones

Current fruit waste materials that Dole is looking to upcycle include:

• (a) Leftovers from Bromelain processing
• (b) Leftovers from Pineapple green fiber processing
• (c) Solids of juice centrifuge
• (d) Yellow and green banana peel
• (e) Papaya seed cake

We are currently converting waste streams into the following resources:

• (a) Biogas
• (b) Feedstock for animals
• (c) Landfill for composting

Therefore, Dole is not looking for the above solutions.

As part of its goal to save 55,828 metric tons of fruit waste, Dole is looking to phase out the aforementioned waste streams and replace them with novel and more sustainable application areas.

Dole is looking for an opportunity to reduce and/or upcycle fruit loss and waste in all areas of our value chain. We are therefore looking for solution providers in the following areas:

1. Factory / Packing house fruit waste reduction
2. Factory / Packing house upcycling
1. For upcycling, we are happy to consider any solutions (not limited to the Food & Beverage industry). In the case of applications in the Food & Beverage industry, Dole is looking to further understand the claims and benefits of the potential application, as validated by lab analysis or test.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS / PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

Dole will be evaluating the solution providers on a case-by-case basis. Generally speaking, we will be looking at the following requirements and criteria:

Performance Criteria:

• Overall cost of solution implementation
• Clear and demonstrable ROI compared to Dole's existing waste streams (landfill, biogas, feedstock) with novel application areas
• Ease of adoption (ideally, we are looking at limited changes to our existing internal processes)
• Upscale application areas (the degree to which fruit waste can be upscaled)

DESIRED OUTCOME

The cost of the solution will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis

Dole is looking to initially conduct a POC or Pilot project, with selected solution providers. After commercial viability has been proven, commercial roll-out can be discussed.

TIMEFRAME FOR DEVELOPMENT

Phase 1: PoC/Trail to be conducted (2-4 months)

Phase 2: Further commercial roll-out. Timeline to be discussed on a case-by-case basis

POTENTIAL MARKET / BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

The initial project will be tested in Thailand and the Philippines, with the goal to disseminate the product globally. If the pilot is successful, Dole is looking to roll-out the solution to global markets. Dole believes that if the solution proves its efficacy, there is potential for further market penetration.

RESOURCES

Dole is willing to support the selected solution providers by providing:

1. Pilot/POC support up to S$30,000
2. Project management support
3. Access to pilot and test facilities

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

We are looking to work with start-ups at any stage of maturity, or SME but we would love “ready-to-market” solutions

 
Contact / source: Enterprise Singapore Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge - Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge 2022 (innovation-challenge.sg)