Sumitomo Corporation's Breakthrough in Sea Transport: Electric Field Technology for Long-lasting Freshness

Sumitomo Corporation has signed a business alliance agreement with OOCL to provide refrigerated sea transport that can maintain freshness for a long period of time. This involves the use of electric field technology, which reduces the non-freezing temperature of food at sub-zero temperatures by applying a weak electric field to the food using high voltage. Sumitomo Corporation established a system for procuring electric field containers after a company in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, in which it had a partial investment, developed an electric field container. The company has also obtained a patent for a transportation method that improves the freshness retention effect by using high-vacuum packaging for food products, for example. When widely used, this service will enable the sea transport of non-chilled, non-refrigerated goods from distant locations, which was previously impossible, and will bring attractive food products scattered around the world to new areas of consumption.