US-based materials science company Landec is all set to expand commercial applications for its BreatheWay technology packaging solutions.
The technology has been developed to optimize the ratio of carbon dioxide and oxygen within the packaging so as to extend the shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables.
According to the company, Chiquita Brands opted to use BreatheWay technology for its Chiquita-To-Go banana program.
Hydroponic vegetables grower Windset Farms is also using the technology in its new packaging to extend freshness for its Fresco cocktail cucumbers and for its line of sweet and hot peppers.
Agroexport also selected the BreatheWay technology to develop packaging for the new commercial offering of its Villita Slice-n-Serve avocado product.
Landec COO Molly Hemmeter said the company started to receive benefit from its research and development efforts to expand the use of the technology into new commercial applications beyond those for its food technology business Apio's own fresh-cut vegetable and salad products.
"Apio currently uses internally over 100 million BreatheWay membranes per year for its specialty packaged bag and tray vegetable products shipped throughout North America," Hemmeter added.
Windset Farms COO John Newell said the BreatheWay technology is helpful in decreasing product waste across the supply chain.
"Based on our exclusive license for the use of BreatheWay packaging technology for greenhouse grown cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes, we plan to release more items featuring this technology in the near future," Newell added.
The BreatheWay packaging technology is said to allow the Slice 'n Serve avocados to last up to 14 days in a ripe and ready-to-eat state.
Apio is working on new commercial applications for its technology, including applications for fresh-cut vegetables and fruit in consumer, bulk and cargo vessel formats and for its GreenLine branded fresh-cut green beans.