While the topseal has been used as packaging in other sectors for a while now, it is now getting its breakthrough in fruit and veg. After the United Kingdom, where the packaging has been gaining popularity for some time, interest from the Netherlands and Belgium is growing, Pierre Hagenaars of Het Packhuys says. Products packaged more often in topseal now include tomatoes, snack vegetables, plums, grapes and cherries.
Atmosphere and printing
The big advantage of the topseal packaging is that the atmosphere within can be changed through microperforation to improve the products’ shelf life. For soft fruit, this can extend freshness by several days. “And less foil is needed for a topseal than for the tray with lid or the traditional flowpack,” Pierre says.
He also points out the options to have the foil printed, to personalize packaging for the client. “Presentation is important. Retail chains are asking for topseals more and more, so auctions and growers have to respond.”
Another marketing tool for the topseal is the resealable packaging. “The various topseals, resealable or not, can all be packaged with the same machine. You only have to insert a different foil.” There are also options to equip ready-to-cook products with a foil that has a so-called steam valve. “The customer can put the tray with vegetables directly into the microwave: that’s convenience.”
Rental machines
In addition to increased popularity of the topseal in supermarkets, there is also more interest in the smaller machines from smaller companies. For instance asparagus growers, who also sell from home, have more and more customers asking for peeled asparagus. A small peeling machine combined with a topseal machine gives these companies the possibility to offer peeled asparagus.
Like many other growers, asparagus companies have a season in which the machine sees a lot of use. Off-season, a machine is sometimes idle for months. “For these companies, we have rental machines. They get a new or completely revised machine at the beginning of the season. At the end of the season, we collect the machine again.” Het Packhuys operates in multiple sectors, so there’s always a use for the machine.
More information:
Pierre Hagenaars
Het Packhuys
Marconilaan-Noord 52
4614 HB Bergen op Zoom
Nederland
+31 (0)164 70 02 15
www.het-packhuys.com