The Spanish Association of Corrugated Packaging Manufacturers (AFCO) was founded in 1977, and the Plaform Group was created in the early 80's, emerging, according to technical director Juan Mendicote, "from the need to offer a quality product to the fresh fruit and vegetable market, creating a standard, with the advantages that this entails, and enforcing certain rules to ensure products always reached their destination in good condition."
Plaform is a quality seal available to any company meeting the technical requirements set by AFCO. "AFCO carries out the quality checks necessary for the seal to offer an added value," affirms Juan. Consequently, "we impose sanctions and even expulsions to companies that fail to comply with the requirements."
Juan Mendicote (right) next to Ana María García and other colleagues.
Thirteen companies are currently part of the Plaform Group; companies with manufacturing facilities spread throughout Spain, including the Canary Islands. Juan explains that "the production of corrugated cardboard is growing at a similar rate as the export of fruits and vegetables, which according to FEPEX stands at 3.4% (6.2% for vegetables and 1.5% for fruits)."
The Plaform Group manufactures packaging that meets European measuring standards, which, according to Juan, "has benefited growers and packers. There have also been advances in the quality of the material, which are becoming increasingly lighter and tougher, allowing for optimisation in the use of raw materials and a reduction in weight."
Quality controls are also not just limited to manufacturers, but are also carried out on arrival. "In this sense, we are collaborating with Fruit Audit, which has a network of agronomists able to satisfactorily resolve any issue."
Juan assures that numerous advances have also been made in printing, both flexographic and digital. "Prints today are of a very high quality. We have gone from marked boxes to packages that promote the brand and product."
The key is that packaging not only serves to protect, transport and prevent spoilage of perishable goods, it also helps sell the product. "It also includes useful information for the consumer, such as expiry dates, as well as the product's origin," states Juan. "In this market there is plenty of competition, but that is something that is ultimately good for our customers."
According to AFCO's representative, one of the biggest advantages of cardboard is that it easily adapts to any requirement. "Any needs are quickly addressed with new designs thanks to the great flexibility of corrugated cardboard. Its use has become crucial in logistics, as it allows to significantly reduce costs, which is, in turn, positive for the chain as a whole."
The sustainability of the packaging sector, after all, stands on three pillars: the economic, the social and the environmental. "Today you have to excel in all of these to ensure our customers can work sustainably, and corrugated cardboard boxes are an excellent example of sustainable packaging," concludes Juan Mendicote.
More information:
Juan Mendicote
AFCO Grupo Plaform
T: +34 915 711 702
M: +34 660651471
jmendicote@afco.es
www.afco.es