Global expansion and digital ripening innovation drive Catalytic Generators' 2026 strategy

Reported by Ed Vernon, from Berlin. 

Building on growing adoption in Europe and accelerating demand in key markets, Catalytic Generators is advancing its strategy for the next 12 months. The plan combines continued geographic expansion with the introduction of a new digital tool to make ethylene application even simpler and more reliable.

“As we begin 2026, we’re seeing clear momentum, not just in sales, but in how customers are rethinking about reliability, visibility, and control in their ripening operations. That aligns perfectly with where we’re investing as a company,” said Greg Akins, President and CEO of Catalytic Generators.

Smarter ripening with digital control 

Looking ahead to the last quarter of the year, Catalytic Generators is readying up to introduce new digital control and remote monitoring capabilities for ethylene application systems.\

The new digital platform will wirelessly connect with generators to a secure cloud-based interface. 

“You'll be able to use your smartphone and see when you turn the machine on, see that it's operating correctly. You'll be able to see that it's using the liquid correctly and get notifications of any issues,” he told FreshFruitPortal.com at Fruit Logistica.

This gives operators confidence that ethylene application is going well during the critical 24-hour application period. Generators can also be adjusted remotely and integrated with room control systems for optimized ethylene levels.

“This innovation gives ripeners peace of mind when it matters most,” explained Akins. “Ethylene already works quietly in the background. Digital visibility will take it one step further by removing uncertainty and reinforcing our promise that ethylene should be the easiest part of ripening.”

The executive explained that the company is building on over 50 years of simplifying ethylene and making it safer for users. By introducing smarter tools, growers and distributors can focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality fruit consistently.

“Our systems are safe,” he said. “That's the hallmark of the business that we started in 1973. The reason we were successful is that it's safe. It can't reach an explosive level in a ripening room, whereas some other systems perhaps can.”

Momentum across global markets and the target set in Europe

On the business side, Catalytic Generators finished 2025 with increasing global sales driven by expanding adoption in Europe and China, alongside continued growth in Latin America. 

“We've done quite well in Brazil. We focused a lot of attention there, and now the same in Chile,” Akins explained in Berlin.”And, of course, we're investing a lot here in the EU.”

Europe plays a central role in the firm’s global expansion, not only as a commercial opportunity but as a region where regulatory approvals for ethylene application are demanding and require significant time and investment. 

The company is working with an EU task force to ensure that ethylene is reregistered as a legal and safe plant protection product. 

Catalytic Generators has already secured regulatory approval for bananas in several member states, and recently obtained authorization for avocado ripening in the Netherlands. The company is advancing approvals for additional products in other European markets. 

“Europe challenges suppliers to be better–more precise, more reliable and more committed,” said Akins. “We chose to invest here because to be the best, you have to make challenging decisions.”

*All images courtesy of Catalytic Generators. 

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