Maersk Container Industry (MCI) purchased 116,000 plastic balls for a trial to test & increase the effectiveness of its refrigerated containers in delivering fresh produce. The balls were adapted so they would respire in much the same way as fresh fruit and vegetables do, enabling MCI to assess various improvements to its reefer box service. MCI's container technology manager Lars Lübker explains why the company opted to run such a large trial: "The challenge by transporting fruits and vegetables is that they respire. They are living organisms and they need to be taken special care of. "In order to improve the performance of a container we had to develop a specific artificial fruit. We did that by purchasing 116,000 plastic balls.