The potato market has seen a huge change in the past three years in packaging terms.
The industry has moved away from the traditional wicketted bag format into sophisticated VFFS packs including block bottom stand up packs and lidded punnets, mainly due to improved pack presentation, handling and production efficiencies. The base films used for these new formats can range from mono films such as OPP, polyester and polyethylenes right through to sophisticated laminates and coextrusions.
Amcor is a world leader in the supply of modified atmosphere films, designed to maintain freshness and extend shelf life of salads, vegetables and fruit. Advanced technology is used to control permeability and thereby create the ideal film for every product.
Distinct market focus is the key strategy of Amcor and it has many key production sites around the world, which are dedicated to the fresh produce market. This ensures that we fully understand all the needs and specific requirements of the market and therefore always meet the expectations of quality, innovation and service.
Along with the change of pack format, Amcor Flexibles have also led the way forward with the use of MAP packaging, which has been technically and commercially proven to extend the shelf life of potatoes and greatly reduce in-store wastage. The creation of an Amcor P-Plus Modified Atmosphere, with higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and lower concentrations of oxygen (in comparison to a standard air atmosphere), inhibits the production of green chlorophylls and therefore greatly reduces the rate of greening.
This means that a fully printed film does not need to be utilised to block out light and a whole new area of presenting potatoes can be achieved - it gives the opportunity to the retailer to allow the consumer to see what they are purchasing.
A suitable modified atmosphere within the pack depends on a lot of factors including cv, maturity, temperature, weight and pack size. Amcor Flexibles has the collated expertise on films, printing and potato physiology to be able to provide the complete service to the potato industry.
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