Bulk modified atmosphere packaging specialist Stepac has launched a new line of fresh produce packaging solutions designed with retailers in mind.
The group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Johnson Matthey, has unveiled its Xgo line of products, which includes a lidding film, preformed bag, flow pack and standing pouch.
'We're building on the latest developments in advanced Xtend modified atmosphere/modified humidity (MA/MH) technology and packaging design to help both retailers and international food brands to address growing consumer demands for premium quality packaged produce,' said Johnson Matthey technical development manager Gary Ward.
According to the group, case studies have demonstrated the retail value of Xgo packaging for whole fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs as well as fresh-cut salads.
'Retailers can drive sales through innovation by capitalising on the latest developments in MA/MH technology to provide extended shelf life, reduce waste and enhance the consumer experience,' Ward added. 'Our retail packaging solutions rev-up customer demand by displaying fresher, more appealing produce in convenient, attractive easy to identify, easy to handle packaging.”
The new solutions include the Xgo Lidding Film, which offers customized solutions for a wide range of produce packed in either PET or PP trays, and Xgo Preformed Bags, which are high-performance, pre-formed flexible packaging solutions for manual packing, that significantly extend shelf life of both whole and fresh cut fruits and vegetables.
Xgo Flow Pack offers roll stock for automated retail packing processes, while the Xgo Standing Pouch is engineered to provide extended shelf life in a convenient, attractive 'grab-and-go' retail packaging format.
All products contain anti-fog properties and can be customised to provide optimal modified atmosphere conditions for prevailing temperature-time profiles of many different kinds of produce, the group added.
