Posts Tagged “modified atmosphere”
StePac PCC, a leader in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) for fresh produce, is offering a solution to tackle the challenges associated with long transit times.
For example, the long distance between origin and destination, dragon fruit faces a weeks-long trek that threatens its quality. This adds insult to injury, as the industry is already grappling with falling prices from a glut of pitahaya (dragon fruit) in the US and Mexico.
To stay ahead in the now-crowded domestic pitahaya market, growers and shippers must outsmart the clock or risk delivering lackluster fruit.
StePac PCC’s packaging is designed specifically for dragon fruit. The company’s new product is a tailored version of the proprietary Xtend® MA/MH packaging and aims to preserve the shelf life of pitahayas en route from Ecuador to the US and Europe.
StePac notes company engineers mold these materials into different formats, including pallet shrouds, bin liners, and, in this case, a film to protect pitahayas.
The company reports the film was carefully crafted for pitahayas, which are prone to dehydration and wilting due to their high respiration rate.
The packaging was designed to slow this process down by balancing oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations. The film also controls moisture to maintain the fruit’s firmness and protruding bracts, and preserves its vibrant, glossy appearance throughout the trip.
Pitahaya has been traditionally shipped loose or in basic packaging formats providing little to no control over the internal atmosphere or humidity, offering limited protection during long sea voyages. Right now, the packaging allows the fruit to withstand sea shipments of three weeks or more.
Shelf-life extension varies depending on conditions, but this significantly exceeds what is achievable with traditional packaging.
The fruit is a fast-growing, high-value product with strong global demand facing significant postharvest challenges during long-distance shipments.
Growers were struggling to reach distant markets in acceptable condition, which made dragon fruit a natural candidate for a tailored modified packaging.
The Company studied pitahaya’s respiratory behavior, moisture sensitivity, and postharvest challenges for three years.
StePac then adjusted film permeability to create the optimal internal atmosphere under real supply chain conditions and collaborated with growers and shippers to test the product.
Repeated trials were conducted with frequent field visits, and optimization of postharvest handling protocols, as well as refinement of the packaging design to ensure consistent performance.
As far as pricing, it is noted exporters report benefits such as reduced waste, improved quality, and access to new markets, which generally outweigh the additional packaging costs by yielding higher returns.
The company is currently working to scale its proprietary packaging to other fruits, since each deal comes with its own set of challenges.
Fruits and vegetables have very different respiration rates, sensitivities to low oxygen, and critical to elevated carbon dioxide concentrations, as well as different moisture requirements.
Equipment Modifications Announced by TransFRESH Now Make Tectrol Available to Strawberry Shippers Who Employ Reusable Plastic Containers
SALINAS, CA May 16, 2012 ‒ TransFRESH Corporation has announced that 
palletized Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) used by a select number of growers and shippers in the berry industry now work seamlessly with the company’s proprietary Tectrol® Modified Atmosphere system due to innovative equipment modifications made by the TransFRESH team.
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TransFresh squeeze completes the cycle of inserting the bottom seal on a pallet that is now ready for the Tectrol bag and seal.
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“We’ve implemented certain adjustments that make our equipment ‘RPC Capable’ for shippers who use RPCs as part of their box or carton mix,” according to Rich Macleod, vice president, TransFRESH Pallet Division North America. “This makes it possible for berry growers, shippers and retailers to take advantage of the benefits of Tectrol® regardless of the package method.”
Previously, growers and shippers using RPCs experienced a more complicated process that involved placing the bottom seal on the pallet in the field. However, with the new modifications, it’s now possible to run RPC pallet units on the company’s automated equipment provided at the coolers, ensuring the ease and integrity of the sealing process.
“The goal of our Tectrol Service Network is to remain ahead of the curve in terms of marketplace and customer demands,” said Macleod. “We realized that with some adjustments and retooling, we would be able to ensure a viable seal on all sides of the RPCs, making it possible for shippers who provide Tectrol® to readily apply our technologies with RPC palletization.”
Studies have shown that Tectrol’s high CO2 (carbon dioxide) modified atmosphere may reduce decay and thereby protect the quality of fresh strawberries throughout the distribution process. Berries shipped using the Tectrol Modified Atmosphere Packaging System are shown in university, USDA and private studies to deliver strawberries with less decay.
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About TransFRESH® TransFRESH Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB), is a pioneering and established global company, with nearly 50 years of experience in perishables transport. Tectrol ® is the trademarked brand name for the TransFRESH® family of proprietary modified and controlled atmosphere systems and processes developed and owned by TransFRESH®. The Tectrol® Service Network™ services, markets and supports the Tectrol Pallet Systems operations and technologies. Since inception, TransFRESH’s innovations in packaging, equipment and sealing processes have established Tectrol® as the industry standard.