Waste Management

ARBOK FOOD PRESERVATION (ARBOK-3X)

ARBOK-3X is a pulsed UVC sanitization system that extends the shelf life of packaged perishables by 20–50 % using high-intensity pulsed UVC irradiation from a xenon flash lamp source.

ARBOK FOOD PRESERVATION (ARBOK-3X)

Technology brief

What this platform addresses

ARBOK-3X is a pulsed UVC sanitization system that extends the shelf life of packaged perishables by 20–50 % using high-intensity pulsed UVC irradiation from a xenon flash lamp source.

TRL 7 (confirmed by Michael)

The challenge

The problem this technology addresses

Pre-packaging and post-harvest sanitization on production lines; bulk treatment of high-volume SKUs at distribution centers; on-site freshness extension before retail display; complement to cold storage/logistics. Mountable as conveyor integration, UV tunnel, or static chamber.

Users: retailers, distribution/logistics operators, food processors.

ARBOK solution

How the ARBOK system creates value

ARBOK-3X is a pulsed UVC sanitization system that extends the shelf life of packaged perishables by 20–50 % using high-intensity pulsed UVC irradiation from a xenon flash lamp source. Non-contact and ambient-temperature, it lets supermarkets, distribution centers, and warehouses cut food waste, improve profitability, and enhance food safety — with no chemicals, consumables, or residue. Core idea: "Save to Earn" — every 1 % reduction in food loss is direct economic gain.

Pulsed UVC light damages microbial DNA/RNA, inactivating spoilage organisms (Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Botrytis cinerea, molds, yeasts, fungal spores). Pulsed delivery gives high-intensity treatment without overheating, with exposure time per item tuned short enough to keep line throughput fast. Treated products retain color, texture, and nutrition. Non-contact, ambient temperature.

Limitations: surface treatment only (line-of-sight UVC; shadowed areas untreated); does not penetrate opaque packaging; complements but does not replace refrigeration.

Market and application

Commercial opportunity

Retail food waste is enormous (often ~30 % spoilage on fresh produce). A non-contact, consumable-free shelf-life extender with sub-12-month ROI addresses supermarkets, distribution, and post-harvest globally. Example: a retailer with $10M/year fruit sales and 30 % spoilage ($3M) saving 50 % = $1.5M/year.

OPEX <$0.001/kg (no consumables); ROI <12 months for an average distribution center; retail savings ~15 % of revenue via up-to-50 % waste reduction. Payback example: $1.5M/year savings on $10M fruit sales.

Use cases

Where the technology can be applied

Pre-packaging and post-harvest sanitization on production lines; bulk treatment of high-volume SKUs at distribution centers; on-site freshness extension before retail display; complement to cold storage/logistics. Mountable as conveyor integration, UV tunnel, or static chamber.

Users: retailers, distribution/logistics operators, food processors.

Rapid plug-and-play deployment; site evaluation → installation → staff training → ROI modeling/monitoring. Customizable integration into existing lines or stores.

Drop-in for production lines, DCs, retail, and cold-storage hubs; conveyor/tunnel/chamber form factors; complements refrigeration and ARBOK FoodTech retail platforms.

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Overview

ARBOK-3X is a pulsed UVC sanitization system that extends the shelf life of packaged perishables by 20–50 % using high-intensity pulsed UVC irradiation from a xenon flash lamp source. Non-contact and ambient-temperature, it lets supermarkets, distribution centers, and warehouses cut food waste, improve profitability, and enhance food safety — with no chemicals, consumables, or residue. Core idea: "Save to Earn" — every 1 % reduction in food loss is direct economic gain.

Applications

Pre-packaging and post-harvest sanitization on production lines; bulk treatment of high-volume SKUs at distribution centers; on-site freshness extension before retail display; complement to cold storage/logistics. Mountable as conveyor integration, UV tunnel, or static chamber.

Users: retailers, distribution/logistics operators, food processors.

Operating Principle

Pulsed UVC light damages microbial DNA/RNA, inactivating spoilage organisms (Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Botrytis cinerea, molds, yeasts, fungal spores). Pulsed delivery gives high-intensity treatment without overheating, with exposure time per item tuned short enough to keep line throughput fast. Treated products retain color, texture, and nutrition. Non-contact, ambient temperature.

Limitations: surface treatment only (line-of-sight UVC; shadowed areas untreated); does not penetrate opaque packaging; complements but does not replace refrigeration.

Architecture and Components

Xenon pulsed-UVC flash lamp source, sized to the application; conveyor / UV-tunnel / static-chamber housing; control and exposure timing; non-contact treatment zone. Plug-and-play, modular integration into existing lines/stores.

Advantages

Technical: broad-spectrum pathogen coverage; non-contact; no overheating; retains product quality. Economic: ultra-low OPEX (<$0.001/kg), no consumables, ROI <12 months. Environmental: no chemicals/water/packaging waste, no residue, prevents landfill methane. Competitive: vs traditional sanitizers — no consumables/residue, broad spectrum, non-contact.

Integrations

Drop-in for production lines, DCs, retail, and cold-storage hubs; conveyor/tunnel/chamber form factors; complements refrigeration and ARBOK FoodTech retail platforms.

Deployment & Operation

Rapid plug-and-play deployment; site evaluation → installation → staff training → ROI modeling/monitoring. Customizable integration into existing lines or stores.

TRL

TRL 7 (confirmed by Michael). Prototype/system in operational environment: validated by retailers and logistics partners and positioned commercial-ready, with broader multi-site deployment/qualification remaining. (Legacy "TRL 9" set to 7 per Michael.)

TRL scale:

  • TRL 1 — basic principles observed
  • TRL 2 — technology concept formulated
  • TRL 3 — experimental proof-of-concept
  • TRL 4 — validated in lab
  • TRL 5 — validated in relevant environment
  • TRL 6 — demonstrated in relevant environment
  • TRL 7 — prototype in operational environment ← ARBOK-3X
  • TRL 8 — system complete and qualified
  • TRL 9 — proven in operational environment

Market Potential

Retail food waste is enormous (often ~30 % spoilage on fresh produce). A non-contact, consumable-free shelf-life extender with sub-12-month ROI addresses supermarkets, distribution, and post-harvest globally. Example: a retailer with $10M/year fruit sales and 30 % spoilage ($3M) saving 50 % = $1.5M/year.

Typical Project Economics

OPEX <$0.001/kg (no consumables); ROI <12 months for an average distribution center; retail savings ~15 % of revenue via up-to-50 % waste reduction. Payback example: $1.5M/year savings on $10M fruit sales.

Risk Factors

Per-product shelf-life and savings claims need independent validation. Surface/line-of-sight limitation (shadowed produce untreated); no penetration of opaque packaging. UVC operational safety (shielding). Adoption depends on retailer integration and validation. Legacy TRL adjusted down pending multi-site qualification.

Related Technologies

ALEYRUM · ARBOK-REVITA · ARBOK-TOMATEC

Related technologies

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Partnership pathway

Evaluate ARBOK FOOD PRESERVATION (ARBOK-3X) for your application or pilot site.