Auckland company Fresh Appeal has sold innovative technology, which can keep apple slices fresh for 21 days, to a British manufacturing company.
The processing solution - which uses natural methods to disinfect fruit - was jointly developed by HortResearch and technology company Logistics Solutions.
The pair have formed Fresh Appeal
to commercialise the process.
As well as the sale to an undisclosed British company, Fresh Appeal has signed a "heads of agreement" with a Japanese company.
Fresh Appeal chairman Joe Pope said the technology was seen as a silver bullet for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry.
Pope is a former chief executive of the Apple and Pear Marketing board and former chairman of HortResearch.
The technology, which has been patented in 141 countries, will keep apple slices crisp, flavoursome and fresh for up to 21 days.
It uses a disinfection process to wash the sliced produce and kill pathogens and microbes that can discolour and and spoil the fruit.
