The fresh produce trade globally is facing pressure from retailers to reduce packaging and related carbon footprints, as well as the added burden of rising electricity costs. But Capespan believes its use of V-channel air-flow technology mitigates these issues.
The Capespan Group’s own technology development division ExperiCo Fruit Technology Solutions brought the cartons to market a few seasons ago and since then has seen their use increase year on year. The innovative V-channel is essentially a dovetailed cut-out in the bottom of standard cardboard cartons. When the bases are pushed out using a specifically designed jig, it forms an additional air-flow channel.
ExperiCo manager Dr Martin Taylor said: “V-channel technology in grape cartons containing product packed in carry bags has the advantage over standard cartons of enabling the grower to cool palletised grapes more rapidly by as much as 30 per cent. This obviously is advantageous for quality, but also to move the product faster to the market.
“With a 30 per cent reduction in cooling time and a forced-air cooling cost estimated at about R300 (£19.02) a pallet, the V-channel carton can reduce the cooling costs per pallet to R210 if used optimally. Not only does this represent a significant potential saving, the technology also creates the opportunity to reduce carbon emissions at various cold chain points. Consequently, the V-channel is likely to provide opportunities for carbon trading in the future.”
In South Africa, the volume of V-channel cartons used on grapes is increasing year on year, with orders in excess of 1.2 million 4.5 and 9 kg grape cartons in the 2007-08 season. According to Taylor, no fruit quality problems associated with the use of V-channel technology have been reported. “In fact, all quality maintenance comments have been positive,” he said. The technology also has been used successfully on a small commercial scale outside South Africa in 2008 and Taylor reports the trials are attracting global interest.
ExperiCo has licensed most carton manufacturers in South Africa to use the V-channel and jig technology. Other organisations wishing to obtain licensing rights are able to apply directly to ExperiCo.
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