India based global flexible packaging company Uflex, in partnership with foreign technology partner, has developed the Flexfresh equilibrium modified atmospheric packaging (EMAP) which can extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
Uflex said that the EMAP can maintain consistent oxygen and CO2 inside the bag in order to extend the shelf life of the produce.
Uflex chairman and managing director Ashok Chaturvedi said: "During the initial phase of trials, the technical team came up with the nuance of tropical produce and felt that the traditional polymers being used for shelf life extension of fresh produce may not work.
"In fact, all existing fresh produce packaging solutions in the world grappled with the problem of water condensation inside the bag - a fact that was established during our market study.
"Also for products that perspired heavily, it was found that the MAP did not work due to higher CO2 inside the bag changing the organoleptic of the produce."
Besides maintaining the humidity inside the bag at 98%, the Flexfresh packaging keeps the product absolutely dry without allowing condensation of the humidity.
Biodegradable by composting, Flexfresh the film complies with all international regulations for overall migration (EC 1935/2004) and reach compliance (EC 1907/2006). It is available as Liner Bags in 5kg and 10Kg standard international sizes, Flow Wraps, FFS Film and Lidding film.
The film is designed to provide good release characteristics of CO2 emitted by the produce in order to ensure that the produce could be protected naturally from diseases such as Botrytis and Gray Mold using high CO2 content.
Uflex' Noida Packaging plant has commissioned two respiration meters at its Fresh Produce Research and Innovation Laboratory.
Uflex and its project partner plans to further assess the benefits of Flexfresh for shelf life extension in the most safest and sustainable way.
Recently, Uflex said it will showcase technology and equipment for print and cross-media solutions at DRUPA 2016 including its Extrusion Lamination Machine.
Image: Pomegranates packed in Uflex's new equilibrium modified atmospheric packaging. Photo: courtesy of Uflex Limited.
