Through Perfecting the Air, Daikin strives to make the world’s spaces happier and more comfortable.
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For the Invention of an Atmosphere Control System Enabling Long-Distance Maritime Container Transport of Fresh Produce
OSAKA, JAPAN, 26 May 2026 - Daikin Industries, Ltd. has received the “Prize of the Chairman of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII)” at the 2026 National Commendation for Invention, organized by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, for its “Invention of an Atmosphere Control System Enabling Long-Distance Maritime Container Transport of Fresh Produce.” The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on June 15 at The Okura Tokyo. This marks the fourth time Daikin has received a special award or higher recognition at the National Commendation for Invention.
Established in 1919, the National Commendation for Invention is an award program aimed at contributing to the advancement of science and technology and the development of industry in Japan. The program recognizes outstanding inventions, ideas, and designs that have made significant contributions or are expected to contribute substantially in the future due to their excellence.
The awarded invention applies Controlled Atmosphere (CA) technology to enable long-distance maritime transport of fresh produce while maintaining freshness over extended periods. By controlling oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations inside shipping containers according to the respiration rate of produce, the system helps preserve freshness throughout transportation. The invention was highly evaluated as a technology that contributes to the global transportation of a wider variety of fruits and vegetables while reducing environmental impact compared with air freight.
Leveraging refrigeration, freezing, and air control technologies cultivated through its air conditioning business, Daikin has long pursued the creation of new value not only in comfortable indoor environments, but also in fields such as industry, food distribution, and agriculture. Although air itself is invisible, optimizing factors such as temperature, humidity, airflow, and gas concentration holds significant potential for preserving the freshness of produce, reducing food loss, and enabling more sustainable supply chains.
As a company committed to “Perfecting the Air,” Daikin will continue advancing its air control technologies to help reduce environmental impact and address societal challenges, thereby contributing to the realization of a more sustainable society.
Invention of an Atmosphere Control System Enabling Long-Distance Maritime Container Transport of Fresh Produce
(Japanese Patent No. 6579285)
| Chairman’s Prize | Yusuke Fujimoto Transportation Refrigeration Development Group, Refrigeration Business Division, Daikin Industries, Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Noritaka Kamei General Manager, Development, Manufacturing Division, Daikin Air Conditioning (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. |
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| Implementation Achievement Award* | Naofumi Takenaka President and COO, Daikin Industries, Ltd. |
n recent years, growing concern over environmental issues such as CO2 emissions and food loss has accelerated demand for lower-impact food transportation methods, shifting from air freight to maritime shipping. Fresh produce and flowers continue to respire after harvest, making it essential to properly manage oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations during transportation and storage in order to suppress respiration and maintain freshness over longer periods.
Conventional CA technologies have primarily relied on “passive” systems that remove carbon dioxide generated inside containers. However, these systems faced challenges such as slow reduction of CO2 concentration and difficulty maintaining stable internal conditions due to the intrusion of outside air.
To address these issues, Daikin applied its high-concentration oxygen generation technology developed for medical oxygen concentrators to create an “active” CA system. The system processes outside air through adsorption cylinders and supplies low-oxygen gas containing higher concentrations of nitrogen and moisture. In addition, the system features four control modes that switch low-O2 gas concentrations according to the type of produce, respiration rate, and transportation conditions, enabling precise control of O2 and CO2 concentrations inside the container.
By appropriately controlling the air composition inside shipping containers, the invention enables fresh produce to maintain freshness during long-distance transportation, allowing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to be transported globally at lower cost. The technology is expected to contribute significantly to reducing food loss, lowering CO2 emissions by shifting from air freight to maritime transport, and enriching food lifestyles and food culture around the world.
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