When it comes to plastic packaging, demand is growing for packing dates and dried fruits as well as the traditional produce, says Ashhish Ganeriwala, VP-Business Development for Indian fresh produce packaging manufacturer Star Ecopack India: "As a company, we're specialized in thermoforming products, such as punnets and trays made with recycled PET material, which is the European norm these days. Our packaging is mostly suited for fresh produce like berries, grapes, apples, cherries, kiwis, and other fruits. These days, we also see more demand for our packaging for the packing of dates, dried fruits, and cut fruits with our tamper-evident punnet."
© Nick Peters | FreshPlaza.com
According to Ganeriwala, plastic has come out ahead of other alternatives due to multiple factors, one of which is transparency. "Plastic packaging has remained popular, with more and more focus going towards less plastic usage and an inclination towards using 100% recycled PET products. There was a short time when plastic packaging was used less, but it simply holds aesthetic value in regard to the appeal of the product on the shelf. This also enhances the visibility of the packaged product and increases customer satisfaction, as it is easier to buy the perfect product when it is packed in transparent packaging. Now that the world is shifting to more 100% recycled and food safety norms, plastic has become more acceptable than any substitute."
© Star Ecopack India
At the moment, Ganeriwala sees a lot of potential in Eastern African markets, as the industry is in full development in this region: "We export our packaging to South America, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Australia, but to many more markets as well. We would like to expand our markets further, and as such, we have our eyes on the Mediterranean Sea as well as Eastern Africa, as these territories are really in development when it comes to fresh produce in general."
© Star Ecopack India
Star Ecopack isn't afraid to explore new options for packaging fresh produce if the idea comes to them. "We aim to cater to the needs and demands of the global market by adding new concepts and designs of packaging. This includes the possibility of exploring more options for packing fruits, which are not explored in the current world of packaging as of yet," Ganeriwala concludes.
For more information:
Ashhish Ganeriwala
Star Ecopack India Pvt Ltd.
Tel: +91 99306 22389
[email protected]
www.starpack.co.in
