Agritech
A large share of what a farm grows never reaches a plate. Most of that loss happens after harvest, in the days between the field and the shelf, and it is a materials problem as much as a logistics one.
Edible coatings for shelf-life extension
NilTech’s agritech branch develops food-grade edible coatings applied to fruit and vegetables after harvest. The coating is a nano-scale layer that slows moisture loss and gas exchange — the two mechanisms behind most spoilage — while remaining easily washable and safe to eat if it is not removed.
Development has concentrated on berries and cucumbers: two categories with short windows, high waste and very different surface behaviour, which makes them a demanding pair to solve together.
Objectives
A coating that measurably extends shelf life across produce with different surface chemistry
Food-grade throughout, and removable with plain water
Application compatible with existing post-harvest handling, without a new processing step
No detectable effect on taste, texture or appearance
Achievements
Coating system developed and applied to berries in trials
Second surface chemistry validated on cucumbers
Washability established as a fixed design constraint, not an afterthought
Food-grade formulation maintained throughout development
Application method matched to existing packhouse handling
Next milestones
Shelf-life extension measured by category
Independent food-safety testing
Regulatory classification, market by market
Grower trials on berries and cucumbers
Cost-per-tonne modelling against current losses
First grower and packer partners
Programme
Disciplines: Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials
Stage: validated in trials, preparing for pilot deployment
Target categories: soft fruit, salad vegetables
Commercial enquiries: hello@niltechs.com
