Fresh fruit and vegetable products can keep for days longer, thanks to laser perforated films. That is according to Ellen Schreur of Perfon, part of the Oerlemans Packaging Group. "You can't see our films' laser perforation with the naked eye. It, however, creates the correct oxygen/carbon dioxide balance. The product goes into 'sleep', as it were, and thus has a longer shelf life."
"That oxygen/carbon dioxide balance is crucial to a product's shelf life. You can use this type of packaging to create a controlled atmosphere which certainly greatly benefits refrigerated, processed fruit and vegetable products, in, for example, supermarkets." The extension length differs per product.
"One could be more sensitive to dehydration or too much condensation than another. We measure products' respiration so we can see when fermentation begins. That gives us even more insight into what's happening in the packaging," Ellen explains.
The film can be customized. "You can use flexo print in up to ten colors, and we can discuss the perforation pattern. Also, it can be used for flow pack packaging and processed in a top seal film. That significantly improves products like mushrooms' shelf life."
Ellen Schreur
For its fruit and vegetable product films, Perfon - which supplies all kinds of film - mostly uses mono-materials. "We have to find solutions together in 100% recyclable plastic. And there are solutions," continues Schreur. "The Oerlemans Packaging Group has recently invested heavily in new machines with new techniques to be able to produce 100% recyclable barrier films."
"Fortunately, the market is increasingly seeing the positive effects of plastic packaging's functional properties. These can help create a fruit and vegetable sector that can operate sustainably. That's what this packaging, when used for fresh produce, brings. It adds value to a better environment, allows more efficient food yields, and prevents food waste; people are increasingly widely appreciating that," Ellen concludes.
For more information:
Ellen Schreur
Perfon
16 Enterse Street
7472 AC, Goor, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 547 276 100
Mob: +31 (0) 682 687 045
Email: e.schreur@perfon.nl
Website: www.perfon.nl