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History
Fruit ripening by ethylene application hasn't always been so easy or safe...bulky ethylene cylinders and awkward lecture tubes made ripening unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. The founders of Catalytic Generators, Inc figured that there must be a better way. From their vision, and after much research and experimentation, came the Catalytic Generator. In 1973 a patent was obtained for the original generator and soon fruit ripeners had a safer and easier way to apply ethylene.

Over the years, the generator has changed quite a bit, inside and out. Take a look at the progression of the generator:

The Original Catalytic Generator, 1973

The late 70's Edition

The 80's Model

The Latest & Greatest

Product Safety
Ethylene production amounts vary from 2 to approximately 1,000 part per million, as several factors will influence the concentration amount in any given room, including generator setting used, air tightness of room, frequency of door openings, and actual room size. With the adjustable output, our generators can adapt to the ethylene requirements of any ripening operation. One (1) of our generators will produce ethylene in the above range in room sizes from 1,500 to at least 40,000 ft³. We do not recommend applications in less than 1,500 ft³.

Ethylene is highly explosive at concentrations of 27,000 parts per million; however, our system, when used as directed, produces low concentrations (less than 1,000 ppm) of pressureless ethylene and is extremely safe, reliable and not capable of producing explosive amounts. It would require twenty (20) to thirty (30) of our generators operating at one time to reach an explosive level in a one load banana / tomato room (typically around 9,000 ft³); for most rooms, one (1) generator will produce sufficient amounts of ethylene for ripening or degreening. These statements have been verified by independent tests.

Our generators are listed by Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL^®) (UL is not affiliated with Catalytic Generators, LLC and does not endorse our Web site) or TÜV Product Service of Germany, meaning that they have found our equipment to be safe from any foreseeable risk of fire, electrical shock, and related hazards, when used as directed.

No installation is necessary for most of our generators; simply plug into an electrical outlet. The low ethylene production levels and related safety aspects of these generators mean that no special ripening room adaptations should be required.

Our process of ethylene application for fruit ripening and degreening is the most widely accepted ethylene application system across North America and many other parts of the world. The UK's Health and Safety Executive/Local Authorities Enforcement Liaison Committee (HELA) has even posted a circular on their web site explaining that generators are the preferred options for ethylene application and that the "use of cylinders of pure ethylene should be vigorously discouraged."

Ethy-Gen^® II Ripening Concentrate is registered under the FIFRA with the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) , with Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) of the United Kingdom and other various regulatory agencies of many states and countries; and as mentioned above, our generators are listed with UL^® and TÜV of Germany.

The primary reasons that ripeners across the world choose the ethylene application products of Catalytic Generators, LLC are safety, service and ease of use.