To reduce plastic, Starfruit has worked together with Starpack to develop a new carton packaging for passion fruit. The packaging is made completely from carton and has square holes. "The first product to be sold in the new packaging will be passion fruit, as this production takes places in long lines. On the short term we will be putting as many exotics as possible, such as ginger and lime, in a new carton packaging. We are still looking for a different solution for some exotics. Small products like kumquats can fall through the holes, so we have to find an alternative for these products," says Ive Lambert of Starfruit.
"The challenge with fully carton packaging is to make the product visible whilst also allowing the product to breathe. Because consumers buy with their eyes, we paid a lot of attention to the image of the packaging. The new packaging is also stronger than its predecessor, so products are damaged less easily," according to Peter Tielemans of Starpack. "We receive a lot of positive reactions from our customers to the packaging. Together with an acquaintance within the Group A. De Witte we were able to make different strengths for our existing customers. Despite the higher price for packaging we hope our customers want to work towards a more sustainable market with us."
From flowpack to top seal
Despite the growing demand for carton packaging, Peter Tielemans is convinced that plastic packaging will never fully disappear. "There are always products that have to be completely or partially closed to guarantee the freshness and shelf life. I do see some shifts in the current flowpack to topseal packaging, as this reduces plastic. We want to skip this step as much as possible, as sustainable packaging is the only real solution on the long term.
Machine to size
"We have a lot of knowledge and experience within Group A. De Witte when it comes to having machines developed to size. This is a good example of how a group has a lot of different opportunities. This new packaging line is built onto an existing flowpackline. The difficulty was closing the clamshell carton tray with a label in an elegant manner with the machine. This label has to be applied properly. The packaging representative from Allnuts also played a role in this. Allnuts has the knowledge in handling plastic packaging. They also shared their experience in minimalising plastic packaging and this lead us to our final product. We are all trying to become as sustainable as possible," according to Tielemans.
Alexander Van Orshaegen and Peter Tielemans
Cebon
"Within a few years the brand Cebon has become a marker of value in the fruit and vegetable sector. There is a set packaging policy within the group for Cebon products. The packaging ensures not only recognition, but the main function is maintaining quality. We aim to do this in an as sustainable as possible manner, of course. This is why we are always working to optimise our processes, logistic streams and packaging. There are always points that can be improved on and with the new packaging we are already taking a step in the right direction," concludes Alexander Van Orshaegen of Group A. De Witte.
For more information:
Ive Lambert
Starfruit Company
Werkhuizenkaai 112-154
1000 Brussels
+32(0)224 208 76
info@starfruit.be
www.groupadw.be/starfruit
Peter Tielemans
Starpack
Hoveniersstraat 15
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Tel +32 15 55 34 58
info@starpack.be
Alexander Van Orshaegen
Group A. De Witte
Hoveniersstraat 15
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
+32(0) 15 55 34 58
alexander@groupadw.be
www.groupadw.be
www.cibel.be
www.cebon.be