EnWave Corp. has signed two new collaboration agreements with Milne Fruit
Products Inc., a leading American fruit processor. In May of 2011, EnWave
entered a commercial licence agreement with Milne Fruit to supply
radiant-energy-vacuum (REV) technology for the dehydration of a variety of
specified fruit products. The agreement includes a provision for royalty
payments on nutraDried fruit products produced using EnWave’s technology. A
MIVAP dehydrator has been purchased for Milne Fruits’ initial plant in Idaho and
is on schedule for delivery in December, 2011.
Under the new agreements, EnWave has agreed to expand product development in
a new fruit category and has granted 18-month exclusive licensing options for
two other territories within the United States where Milne Fruits is interested
in potentially expanding its REV capacity. Under the terms of the agreements,
Milne Fruits has agreed to a $100,000 (U.S.) non-refundable commitment to secure
the licensing option rights. If a second REV machine is acquired within the
licensing option period, this payment would be credited toward the purchase
price.
“Milne Fruits has indicated that the initial market response from a variety
of nutraDRIED fruit samples has been very positive,” said Dr. Tim Durance,
co-chief executive officer, EnWave. “This positive market feedback has opened up
a new product opportunity and increased their interest in considering REV
capacity expansions in two other territories.”
EnWave’s dehydration technologies for food include nutraREV, MIVAP and
quantaREV; each employs a combination of vacuum and microwave energy to deliver
a high-speed, low-temperature food dehydration process. The technologies can be
used to dry a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, herbs, meats and seafood at
mild temperatures in order to maintain high levels of nutrition, flavour, colour
and texture. nutraREV is being introduced globally as an alternative technology
to freeze drying and air drying for the development of nutraDRIED snack foods,
baked goods and ingredients.
About Milne Fruit Products
Located in Prosser, Wash., Milne Fruit was started in 1956 as a quality
processor and purveyor of fruit-based ingredients. Milne Fruit supplies a
diverse offering of fruit purees, juices, concentrates, extracts, powders and
mixes to the North American food processing sector. More information about the
company is available at its website.
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