Gas instead of chemicals: how ethylene is changing the rules of potato storage For most farms, the idea of managing storage with gas still sounds exotic. In Europe, it is already standard practice: the era of CIPC has ended. Chlorpropham has left the market, and ethylene generators have taken its place. In Britain and the Netherlands they have been working in commercial storage for years. In Russia, almost no one talks about it. We decided to fix that. In the new episode of the «Картофель 2.0» podcast, we break it down honestly, without advertising clichés: who actually makes money storing potatoes with ethylene — and who it is not right for. Our guests Rashid Maratovich Ataullin — engineer-technologist, the man behind the technology. Equipment built with his involvement operates reliably both in the hot climate of the South and in the harsh conditions of Siberia. Viktor Pavlovich Gerasimenko — Director of Project Development. He knows everything about how the technology is deployed on farms and what happens after launch. What we'll discuss The farmer's pain. The most common scenario: you open the storage in February, and the potatoes are already sprouting "in the eyes," the onions are waking up. How much does an average farm lose — in weight, marketable appearance, and sorting losses? Global context. Why is ethylene standard in Europe while barely heard of here? Open data: a constant background of 10–100 μl/l, 70–90% sprout suppression for 4–6 months — according to British industry sources. What's physically inside the potato storage. In plain language: what goes into the generator, what a season's refill costs, what the storage operator does now — and what they no longer have to do. Three gases. Ethylene, carbon dioxide, ozone — why each one is monitored, and what happens when a sensor fails or the power goes out for more than 24 hours. Limitations — honestly. Above 15 °C the effect weakens; there are sugar nuances for potatoes destined for crisps; sprouting resumes within 1–2 weeks after the generator is switched off. Who would we ourselves tell "this isn't for you"? Money. Profits of up to 3 million rubles per thousand tonnes — according to the company. We'll break the calculation down: reduced losses, selling later at higher prices, quality. Seed potatoes, onions and tomatoes. How the technology works for other crops. Send us your questions! Our viewers ask the sharpest questions — and we want to pass them on to our guests before recording. Send your questions for Rashid and Viktor via WhatsApp: +7 967 712-02-02 Ask what really matters to you: will the technology fit your storage facility and your volume? how does a pilot project on a single chamber work? what should you show your health-and-safety engineer? what does it cost to get started, and when does it pay off? The best questions will be asked on air — with your farm or name mentioned, whichever you prefer. When and where The episode will be recorded in the coming days and published on our website and across our channels: YouTube, VK, Rutube and TikTok. All figures mentioned on air will be agreed with the guests before publication; contacts will be in the episode description. All episodes of the «Картофель 2.0» podcast on our website: potatoes.news/ipt/ POTATOES NEWS — we are on the farmer's side. Every sharp question is asked in the form: "What should I tell a farm if they ask me…"
