Global geopolitical tensions are disrupting petrochemical and energy markets, making ethylene supply less stable and more expensive. In some regions, especially Asia, supply is tightening and prices are already rising. This is creating uncertainty for industries that depend on a reliable supply of ethylene, including fresh produce ripening operations, according to Catalytic Generators.
Industrial ethylene used in conventional cylinder-based ripening systems is produced from oil and natural gas through petrochemical processes. Most global ethylene production is prioritized for large industrial sectors such as plastics and chemicals, with fruit ripening representing only a small downstream use.
Because ethylene is essential to the ripening process, any disruption in supply can directly impact ripening operations. Since fruit ripening is only a small downstream use of ethylene, supply is largely determined by the needs and priorities of much larger industries. During periods of market disruption, this can lead to shortages, rising costs and uncertainty for ripening businesses that rely on a consistent ethylene supply.
“Industrial ethylene is primarily produced for large-scale petrochemical applications, with fruit ripening requiring a relatively small amount,” says Catalytic Generators President and CEO Greg Akins. “This means that ripening operations rely on a supply chain driven by other industries, which can make them more vulnerable to disruption when market conditions shift.”
In this context, there are essentially two ways to approach ethylene supply. One is to continue relying on externally sourced, petrochemical-based ethylene, which remains exposed to fluctuations in availability and pricing driven by broader industrial and geopolitical dynamics. The other is to generate pure ethylene directly on-site, allowing operators to produce the gas within the ripening room and reduce reliance on external sourcing.
Against this backdrop, ripening operators are increasingly reassessing their supply strategies. According to Akins, there is growing interest in some regions where the use of conventional cylinder systems persists. Users want greater supply reliability and security, either by transitioning to alternative solutions or by maintaining their current system while introducing a second source of ethylene. Catalytic has received inquiries from some Asian markets affected by recent supply constraints. This shift reflects a broader awareness of the risks associated with reliance on industrial ethylene, particularly in times of geopolitical and market instability.
Building a More Resilient Ethylene Supply Strategy
For ripening operators, the priority is not only to secure ethylene but to ensure that it is ready when needed in the ripening process. Building resilience therefore means reducing exposure to supply disruptions, improving planning certainty and ensuring that ethylene is ready to be used when fruit is ready to be treated.
In this context, solutions based on on-site ethylene generation are gaining attention as a way to strengthen supply reliability. Catalytic Generators, with more than 50 years of experience in ethylene application, says it offers systems such as its Easy-Ripe generators, which produce pure ethylene on demand directly within the ripening room using Ethy-Gen II, a formulation derived from renewable, sustainable sources.
The company says this approach allows operators to produce ethylene on demand for ripening, exactly when it is needed, reducing reliance on external supply chains where industrial ethylene is primarily used as a feedstock for plastics and chemicals production. By generating ethylene on-site, operators can maintain consistent ripening performance without being exposed to supply disruptions or competing industrial demand.
Catalytic Generators says the systems are also simple to install and operate, with a proven international track record and global support network that provides reliable service and technical support.
“With ethylene playing a critical role in the ripening of fruits such as bananas, avocados and citrus, ensuring consistent availability is essential. Increasingly, this means having solutions in place that allow operators to maintain control and reduce dependency on industrial ethylene,” Akins says.
