"Fruit and veg lidding films becoming increasingly attractive"

In April this year, ALPAGRO Plastics celebrated its 35th anniversary. The family business specializes in various products, including fruit and veg packaging such as protective case wraps, lidding films and vegetable pouches. "Since 1988, we've been supplying the fruit and veg industry, and since then this group of customers has only grown," André Vincke says. "About half of our clientèle comes from this industry. We mainly supply our products to Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany."

Lidding film and conical vegetable pouch

Increasingly attractive
ALPAGRO Plastics realizes the entire production process. "We purchase the plastic granules and make the foil. Depending on the customer's requirements, this is printed, and then we make the end product in the manufacturing hall. These days, much more is printed than ten years ago. It used to be that you only saw a black number on the case wraps or lidding films, but now you see complete marketing messages. It has to become increasingly attractive, and attention to layout is growing. We can print up to eight colours. A great project we have recently realized, is a lidding film for the REO Auction. On it is a proud grower holding his produce. Local production is promoted well here." André mentions that the number of case wraps has gone down. "It's clearly noticeable that lettuce is under pressure. The number of lidding films, on the other hand, has gone up enormously in the past years, because production of various vegetables has increased. We offer a tailor-made product for the customer; when it comes to finishing, punching and printing, there is a range of possibilities."

A protective case wrap

Biodegradable
The carrier bags and flexible packaging are also offered in bio plastic by ALPAGRO Plastics. The biodegradable carrier bag is also called BioBag. This 'green' plastic is made with corn starch and biodegradable polymers. In the fruit and veg industry, there's little interest in biological packaging as yet. "This has a lot to do with the price: bio packaging is over three times as expensive, which scares away many. In addition, the bio material made with starch cannot (yet) be supplied transparent, it always has a milky colour. Furthermore, bio packaging shouldn't be kept long in a humid and hot environment. So at the moment there's little interest, but there's a possibility for growth. Currently we mainly supply bio packaging to organic chains, the pharmaceutical industry and diaper manufacturers."

New product
Vincke regrets that the consumer often doesn't see where the products come from. "Yet companies invest a lot in the packaging and appearance of their product. That's why we are currently working on a new type of lidding film, where you also see branding on the sides. The top part of the lidding film can be torn off, while the sides will still be attached to the EPS crate or box. That way, consumers in retail can also see where the product is from. It is very important that they also see the publicity." He can definitely see this paying off. "The fruit and veg sector is a dynamic industry, which picks up on new ideas quickly."

André Vincke (right) with his daughter Carole and an EPS crate, with the recently realized lidding film for the REO Auction.

The past five years, ALPAGRO Plastics has invested in various machines. "We are continuously working on delivering optimal products to our customers, so investments go hand in hand with that. In addition, we consider traceability to be essential, it has to be clear where the raw materials come from. The European Parliament passed a regulation this year to reduce the use of plastic carrier bags, which are to be replaced by alternatives in paper and bio plastic. This will be a great challenge and opportunity for ALPAGRO Plastics."

For more information:
ALPAGRO Plastics nv
Europark 1060
3530 Houthalen (Belgium)
T +32 11 609 130
F +32 11 525 144
info@alpagro-houthalen.be
www.alpagro-plastics.be