"Aphids are still leading growers to the pepper washer"

There is a growing demand for pepper washers due to an increasing aphid infestation among pepper growers. Last summer, the exemption of the Verimark product was positively received by growers. However, it has since become apparent that growers do not completely trust the product. The main reason for this…

Mondi and ATS-Tanner launch paper band for food bundles and multipacks

Mondi, a prominent player in sustainable packaging and paper, has collaborated with Swiss converter ATS-Tanner to create an innovative paper band that can hold individually labeled products or bundles, reducing unnecessary plastic. ATS-Tanner uses Mondi's kraft paper Advantage MF SpringPack and converts…

Fischbein International and Votech expand manufacturing footprint in Reusel, The Netherlands

Votech announced today the grand opening of their newly expanded manufacturing facility and company headquarters in Reusel, The Netherlands. This marks the completed…

Innovative technologies for post-harvest treatment in the post-Covid era

Covid-19 has made food safety more important. In no doubt, the postharvest treatment creates an opportunity for bacteria to enter. Juran Technologies wants to provide technological solutions that add value. We’re showing two of them this time: ArilSystem is a pomegranate extraction system without human…

"We are looking forward to further volume growth over the next few years with some more growers/orchards coming on board"

Maungatapere Packing (MPL) is now in it's second full packing season, set up in 2021 the facility packs blueberries for the Australian export market with the very latest in blueberry packing machinery.  "Volumes have increased in our second season, although not as much as we had originally planned due to a…

Will paper packaging be capable of replacing plastic?

With new regulations emerging across the globe, consumers and businesses are getting the message that excessive plastic usage is bad for the environment. “The problem is that there is too much plastic waste and not enough economically viable means to establish effective recycling options,” says Steve…

"The market is ready for optical sorting"

This year is the Dutch company Remach's fifth anniversary. "We initially wanted to trade used machines. But after a few months, we decided to focus entirely on selling new sorting, washing, and packaging machines. We sell them for products like potatoes, onions, carrots, red beets, and other vegetables,"…

Due to inflation, more Egyptian producers turn to second-hand machinery

After a 2022 year marked by growth in Egypt's agricultural machinery sector, estimated at 25-30%, investment stagnated early this year due to economic push-backs. Ahmed Heiza, general manager of Misr Vision, an Egyptian distributor of agricultural machinery, describes the situation. To begin with, the…

Innovative concepts for closing and labeling of fruit and vegetable trays

Multivac offers two resource-saving solutions for the closing of fresh produce trays with labels with their Top Wrap and Top Close labellers. At interpack 2023, Multivac will be presenting the new L 310 Top Wrap/Top Close conveyor belt labeler, which enables both labeling operations to be performed on…

Silafrica discusses best packaging options

When it comes to exporting fruits and vegetables, packaging is a critical aspect that cannot be overlooked. Not only does it ensure the produce reaches its destination in good…

Sustainable packaging should be based on realistic, fair and feasible targets for environmental impact reduction

Copa-Cogeca, Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Produce Association, and Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, have taken note of the European Commission’s…

UK’s Muddy Machines to offer robotic harvesting as a service

Muddy Machines is a UK-based robotics company. It has developed a team of five robotic harvesters called "Sprout" that will work together to pick British asparagus…

WRAP to encourage retailers to sell fruit and veg loose

Not-for-profit organization WRAP has set a target of the amount sold loose to double to 30% by the end of 2025. The aim is to target 50% by the end of 2030. In 2021, the…

French mushroom specialist invests in Ishida technology

An Ishida multihead weigher has enabled a French specialist mushroom and vegetable supplier to optimise the packing of its new pan-fried range, significantly increasing production while reducing product giveaway to deliver an attractive return on investment. Francep, part of the Gelpass Group, offers a variety…

Remach appointment strengthens Haith’s European presence

The UK’s leading vegetable handling equipment manufacturer has strengthened its European presence with the appointment of a new dealer. Haith has appointed Remach BV as their representative in the Netherlands and Belgium. Established in 2019, Remach specialises in supplying sorting, washing and packing…

Wicketed bagger is the solution for smaller produce

Fox Solutions manufactures a wicketed bagger with a small footprint that is capable of running raw, uncut produce under six inches in diameter or length, supporting weight from one pound to twenty pounds. “The FSWB3 Wicketed Bagger is excellent for packing lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, as well as…

“The main reason projects fail to reach the predicted ROI, is that there has not been enough time put into planning"

End-of-line automation in the packing industry has been gaining ground for a number of years. The decrease in labour after Brexit followed by the social-distancing challenges of Covid has really pushed packers to look more closely at efficient, labour-saving solutions. “We have seen that labour is now…

New cherry production line launched in Washington

FirstFruits Farms has introduced the construction of an advanced cherry production line at its facility located in Prescott, Washington. The production line will feature advanced technology offering total automation which results in the ability to provide customers with high-quality fruit. “We are constantly…

S&B / Sorma

"It is important that, thanks to our solutions, medium-sized businesses can also increase their competitiveness"

In terms of packaging and plant technology, the global fruit sector is currently undergoing a comprehensive structural change. Greater efficiency and higher cycle rates, as well as sustainability, are particularly important. "In view of the difficult market conditions and high production costs, it is all…

New labour saving apple peeling application for AI-optimised 3D vision

At FPC Future, Scorpion Vision, a machine vision automation company, will present a brand new application for its AI-powered 3D vision platform. The new 3D+AI solution will enable fresh produce processors to automate the peeling, coring and chopping of apples without impacting yield for the first time…

EarthPad fruit pad approved for recycling

Sirane's paper recyclable absorbent pad for fruits has been approved for recycling by On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL). According to Sirane, this makes it the world's first approved recyclable absorbent pad. Simon Balderson, Sirane MD, said: "Sirane has been known for years now as the expert in absorbency and…

Mpact confident even as consumers cut back, with a number of trends in its favour

According to spokespeople from Africa's largest paper and plastics packaging group, Mpact, the company is very positive about its prospects even as tough economic conditions…

Packing line for snacking tomatoes significantly reduces labor need

The selection of tomatoes in any retail store is abundant nowadays. Both retailers and consumers ask for different types of tomatoes as well as all sorts of packaging. In response to this demand, JASA Packaging Solutions is offering packing lines that have the ability to pack most tomato varieties, from…

Cutting fresh herbs with precise cuts

Fresh herbs play an essential role in making dishes taste better. But cutting herbs can be a tedious task, especially when you need to prepare large quantities. That's why FAM Stumabo offers two cutting machines that make your job much easier - the FAM Flexis and Volantis™. The FAM Flexis Optitec is a…

Packaging program engages consumers in sustainability efforts

There's no doubt about it; sustainability is top of mind for today's consumers, whether it's around how their food is grown or what it's put in in a grocery store. In fact, sustainable packaging is an issue trending across the produce aisle, and that includes even smaller parts of the packaging category,…

"Given the increased prices, many are switching back from cardboard to returnable crates"

In the paper packaging sector, a price reduction can currently be observed, while the shortage of materials and the associated delivery times are also tending to decline. "However, falling material prices are only one factor because, at the same time, all other costs, whether logistics, energy, or…

SIKO supports project for autonomously operating harvesting vehicle in fruit orchards

SIKO GmbH is currently supporting an agricultural research and development project with two rotary encoders from its range for mobile machines. The project is currently in the…

NewTec will showcase innovative Laser Flowpack700 at upcoming MacFrut event

Newtec recently announced that it will showcase its innovative Laser Flowpack700 packaging solution at the upcoming MacFrut event, taking place from May 3 to 5t at the Rimini Expo Centre in Italy. The Laser Flowpack700 is a state-of-the-art, fully automatic laser welding machine that is ideal for…

Global Focus on Machinery and Packing

In March FreshPlaza will be focussing on machinery and packing, are you involved in these sectors? We would love to hear from you. You can send us some information or we can call you for an interview, just let us know. You can contact info@freshplaza.com    MarketingWould you like to get some extra promotion for your…