Cape Five Export, one of the major grower-based deciduous fruit exporter groups in South Africa is successfully using new smartbag packaging technology developed by Long Life Solutions.
A series of extensive trials on Golden Delicious during this season have produced a range of benefits, all of which add up to higher quality being available in store with a longer shelf life.
Apart from these benefits, the move to smartbag follows the trend encouraged by the UK retail customers to pack at source wherever possible in order to drive down costs.
The secret lies in the use of patented film developed in Australia. The film has a permeable honeycomb structure invisible to the eye, but versatile enough to be produced in a wide variety of forms including poly bags, carton liners, pallet hoods or as a rigid punnet.
Handled under refrigerated conditions, metabolism is slowed allowing it to retain its own atmosphere, but at the same time compensate if there are marginal external changes.
Both Wayne Mudge and Andrew Wright, the respective chief executives of Cape Five and Long Life Solutions, believe that the commercial ramifications of their partnership will revolutionise the apple business.
In the South African experiment Goldens were held in CA store for five months before being graded, packed and sealed in the new Smart Duo-bag which has a metalicine front that facilitates branding.
"The trials have fulfilled the key objectives that were set," said Wright. "Fruit arrived in the UK showing better colour, and there was less dehydration meaning less shrinkage. The long term hope is to eliminate CA containers which would take huge cost out of the supply chain."
He claimed that the material is 50 per cent more cost effective than rival systems.
"Smart Technology is the only generic solution the market place has to offer. The production of ethylene gas is substantially reduced or suspended in the smartbag. The enzymatic reaction is managed better compared to the opposition.
“It can respond to sensitive changes in temperature and atmospheric conditions right through the supply chain and into store."
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