At the turn of the year, long-time packaging expert André Vois founded a new company known as bandOlution. The start-up is mainly dedicated to the sale of ecological paper banderoles that can be returned to the paper cycle, as well as other environmentally friendly packaging solutions, such as banderoles made of recycled mono-plastic. One of the most important areas of application is the fruit and vegetable sector, the company founder tells us.
Right: Company founder André Vois
In his previous position, Vois helped develop the banding process. "Primarily, I now dedicate myself to the required packaging materials instead of arranging machines. The market is also crying out for paper banding. In France and Spain, legislation regarding fruit and vegetable packaging has already been changed for the sake of the environment. Elsewhere in Europe, in the UK, the Netherlands, and the DACH countries, we also see a strong trend towards paper. New solutions are already in the pipeline and will soon be introduced to the market."
"Each individual product group comes with different requirements depending on shape, size, and moisture," Vois continues. "Elongated vegetables, such as pointed peppers and zucchini, are easy to bundle individually and in multiples. On the apple shelf, there are the now tried-and-true wing trays. For moist products, for example, celery, on the other hand, paper banding is more difficult to use but possible with the new solution from bandOlution. The same applies to bananas, where adhesive banding is still mainly used. Overall, fruits and vegetables are by far the most important application area, although the need in the industry is also visibly growing."
bandOlution already works with a total of four print shops, three in Germany and one in Spain, which is why it can respond flexibly and agilely to individual requests. Vois: "I don't act so much as a dealer, but rather as a consultant, intensively accompanying and supporting the entire process, from arranging the required equipment to advising on machine settings and process optimization, right through to materials procurement. Reliability and round-the-clock availability are particularly important to me and are also a great advantage in the food industry."
Solutions for heat and ultrasonic sealing
Despite
inflation and price-conscious consumer behavior, demand for high-quality and, above all, environmentally friendly packaged foods continues unabated, Vois further advocates. "So far, no downward trend is discernible. On the contrary, sensibly packaged fruits and vegetables have become well established across German food retailers."
According to Vois, the challenge facing the packaging industry is primarily to broaden the range of products on offer. "Nevertheless, I already carry a fairly extensive portfolio of materials, whether compostable, white, brown, with high tear strength, or in a wide variety of bandwidths. I also offer solutions for heat and ultrasonic sealing, with the latter process now commonplace in the fruit and vegetable sector. This is partly because ultrasound can also be used to package misshapen products, and the process is particularly energy-efficient."
Images: bandOlution
For more information:
André Vois
bandOlution André Vois
Hugo-Herfeldt-Str. 4
47906 Kempen
Tel.: +49 (0) 1716562906
Fax: +49 (0) 21529143911
E-Mail: a.vois@bandolution.de
www.bandolution.de