Bristol- based company Keymac Packaging Systems is working with fresh produce growers and packers in Australia to reduce the amount of plastic being used in packaging. The company has modified its already successful ready meal sleever, the K101, to run a 100 per cent plastic free pack for loose fruit such as apples, pears, kiwis and nectarines at speeds up to 60 packs per minute.
The newly launched K101S servo machine increases output to up to 80 packs per minute and this model is already sleeving fruit in Italy. Of course, speedy and toolless size changes are an important requirement of packers in Europe who may change pack formats several times per day. The K101 can be size changed in around 5 minutes without the need for tools are costly change parts.
Image: Keymac Packaging Systems
Keymac received its first order from a large apple grower in the Netherlands. Further orders followed quickly from other customers in that country, Belgium, Italy and France, who successfully promoted the concept of loose fruit packed in cardboard packs rather than in PET trays or polythene bags to their large supermarket clients and is gaining interest in Australia
According to foodmag.com.au, Keymac’s entry into the plastic free produce market has been boosted by its upcoming feature and showcase at Foodpro Sydney July 25-28.
