Ethylene Scavengers

Desiccare Food Life Extender® delivers the perfect ripeness at the perfect time.

Ethylene is a naturally occurring hormone produced responsible for ripening fruits and vegetables. Increased ethylene gas levels in the air threaten the life cycle of post-harvest fruits and vegetables, causing spoil, rot, and waste. Desiccare's Food Life Extender® ethylene scavengers eliminate the ethylene that is off-gassed from produce to prevent it from triggering the ripening process before you're ready.

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Ethylene Is Invisible—But the Damage Isn’t

Ethylene is a natural ripening hormone. Helpful in the field. Harmful once produce is harvested.

As fruits and vegetables release ethylene, ripening speeds up, shelf life shrinks, and losses pile up, often before anyone realizes what’s happening. The result? Softening, discoloration, mold, off-texture, and perfectly good produce headed for the bin instead of the buyer.

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Why Ethylene Control Matters More Than You Think

It’s easy to underestimate ethylene, after all, you can’t see it, smell it, or stop it once it starts building up. But in a closed environment like packaging, storage rooms, or transit containers, even small amounts can quietly accelerate ripening across an entire shipment.

And here’s the tricky part… not all produce reacts the same way. Some items are highly sensitive, while others produce large amounts of ethylene themselves. When they’re stored together, things can spiral quickly, what should’ve lasted days suddenly turns in hours.

Managing ethylene isn’t just about slowing ripening. It’s about creating stability. Predictability. The kind of control that lets you plan inventory, reduce guesswork, and avoid those frustrating “it looked fine yesterday” moments.

Control Ripening. Reduce Waste.

Desiccare’s Food Life Extender® ethylene scavengers actively remove ethylene gas from the air surrounding produce. By stopping ethylene from triggering premature ripening, Food Life Extender® protects freshness, appearance, and value throughout shipping, storage, and display.

What Happens When Ethylene Is No Longer in Charge

Produce arrives firmer, fresher, and visually appealing

Ripening slows without chemicals or refrigeration changes

Shelf life extends, often significantly

Shrink and spoilage drop across the supply chain

More sellable product reaches consumers at peak quality

Reducing Food Waste

Food Life Extender® ethylene scavengers are trusted by multi-national corporations and small businesses alike to protect their produce from spoilage throughout the entire supply chain.

Benefits of Desiccare Ethylene Eliminators

Eliminates decay, mold, discoloration, wilting, softening, scald, loss of crunch
Substrate is made with Tyvek® material
Non-dusting, strong and hard to tear
Soft feel will not damage your product
Food grade ink and FDA compliant for direct food contact
Custom sizing, custom artwork & custom packaging formats available
Non-toxic & can be disposed of as normal waste
Tested for consistency, durability and reliability
Our smart scheduling system means always-on-time delivery
Engineered to meet the challenges and timetables of the produce industry

What Makes an Effective Ethylene Scavenger

Consistent Absorption Capacity

It should remove ethylene steadily over time, not taper off when you still need protection most.

Durable, Non-Shedding Materials

Critical in food environments where cleanliness isn’t optional and loose particles are a problem.

Flexible Sizing Options

Different produce types, packaging formats, and volumes require tailored levels of coverage.

Seamless Integration into Operations

It should fit naturally into existing packing, storage, and shipping workflows, no extra complexity.

Reliable Performance Across Conditions

From humidity swings to temperature changes, it needs to perform without compromise.

Food-Safe and Compliant Design

Materials should meet regulatory standards and be suitable for direct or indirect food contact.

Addressing Key Concerns

We understand your concerns. Here's what you need to know.

Will this change the taste or texture?

No. Food Life Extender® preserves natural freshness by controlling ethylene, not altering the product.

Is this safe for direct food contact?

Yes. It uses FDA-compliant materials and food-grade ink.

Do we need different sizes?

Yes, and we make that easy with multiple size options and expert guidance.

Does this replace refrigeration?

No. It complements refrigeration by addressing ethylene, a different cause of spoilage.

Protection From Field to Shelf

HARVEST
Use during post-harvest handling to slow the ripening process of fruits, vegetables & flowers
SHIPPING
Use during domestic and international shipments traveling via ocean, truck, rail & air
STORAGE
Use during cold storage to preserve freshness and prevent spoilage to extend produce's shelf life

Where Ethylene Builds Up Most

Ethylene issues tend to show up in specific environments, places where airflow is limited and produce is grouped together.

Packed Cartons and Clamshells

Tight packaging traps gases, allowing ethylene concentrations to rise faster than expected.

Refrigerated Storage Rooms

Cold temperatures slow ripening, yes, but they don’t stop ethylene from building up over time.

Shipping Containers and Trailers

Long transit times combined with mixed produce loads create ideal conditions for cross-ripening.

Retail Display Areas

Especially in fast-moving sections, where newer stock is constantly exposed to older, ripening items.

Bulk Storage Bins

Large volumes of produce release ethylene collectively, quietly accelerating the entire batch.

Palletized Warehouse Storage

When products are stacked and wrapped for distribution, limited airflow can allow ethylene to concentrate within the load.

Desiccare Makes It Simple to Protect Your Produce

Stop worrying about whether your produce is protected. Desiccare makes it easy with multiple size options. Use this size chart to find the right size Food Life Extender® for your product.

Ripen on Your Schedule, Not Too Early, Not Too Late

Ethylene doesn’t have to decide when your produce is sold. Take control of freshness, reduce waste, and deliver perfect ripeness every time. Let us help you protect your products, our customer service team is highly experienced in active packaging solutions and ready to recommend the right options for your specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our services

What is ethylene gas?

Ethylene is a naturally occurring plant hormone released by fruits and vegetables as they ripen. While essential to the ripening process, excess ethylene can accelerate spoilage and shorten post-harvest shelf life.

How do ethylene scavengers work?

Ethylene scavengers actively absorb ethylene gas from the surrounding air. By lowering ethylene levels, they slow the ripening process and help maintain freshness during storage and transport.

Where can Food Life Extender® be used?

Food Life Extender® can be used throughout the supply chain, including during harvest, shipping, storage, and distribution. It helps protect produce at every stage before it reaches the end consumer.

Is it safe for food contact?

Yes. Food Life Extender® is FDA-compliant and safe for direct contact with fruits and vegetables. It is designed to meet food safety standards while delivering effective ethylene control.

Do you offer custom sizes or branding?

Yes, custom sizing, artwork, and co-branding options are available. This allows you to match the product to your packaging requirements and brand presentation.

Can you help choose the right size?

Absolutely. Our team will help you select the correct size based on your produce type, packaging volume, and storage conditions. This ensures optimal performance without overuse.