In this article, we are focusing on the types of fruit packaging materials and the packaging companies available for fruits. Obviously different packaging materials vary from fruit to fruit. And also the packaging companies are available for different package types. Let’s discuss them deeply in this chapter.
Why packaging is necessary??
Well, the packaging is necessary for ensuring the safety of food products. Here we are talking about fruits. Fruits are perishables.they undergo many mechanical damages during handling transport.
How can we stop them?? Clearly, well-designed packaging is a better solution. Packaging companies find new packaging solutions for three main purposes. Firstly to prevent mechanical damages. Secondly to contain the product and thirdly for marketing and information purposes.[1]
Now lets see what type of packages are available.
Types
- wooden packaging types
- wire bound crates
- Corrugated fiberboard
- pulp containers
- Paper mesh bags
- plastic bags
- Shrinkwrap
- Rigid Packages
- Trays
Surely there are many packaging types available from wood. Most importantly different packaging companies produce varying types of wood packagings.
- Pallets
- Baskets and hampers
- crates and lugs
Particularly there are also different packaging systems available for fresh fruits.
- Active Packaging
- Intelligent packaging
First, let’s take a deep look into the features of different types of packages. And also which packaging companies produce them. Furthermore, we will discuss their role for different fruits.
1. Wood packaging available in packaging companies
Well, different fruit packaging companies produce different forms. Wood pallets are one of them.Obviously this is the most frequent packaging material for fruits.
Wood pallets
Obviously we use wood pallets to deliver fresh produce to customers. In the early times, packaging companies produced pallets mostly for single use. But now with the time, the companies are standardizing the sizes of the pallets.
However, there is no single official standard size. But of course, there are some ISO standards for sizes. On the other hand, there are some American standards for pallets too. But packaging companies produce most of the packages with 40 in x 48 in x 6 in size. of course, there are other standard sizes too. Cleary there are plenty of benefits for users and packaging companies due to this standardization.[1][4]
Benefits
- Obviously due to this now re-using is increasing.
- As a result of reducing cost now there are pallet racks and new handling equipment
- They are indeed efficient in the use of space in transporting vehicles.
- And also capable of tolerating heavy loads.
- Additionally, you can reduce the disposal costs with warehouse costs by pallets for single use.
What are the standard sizes??
Well surely there six ISO pallet sizes.Mostly Packaging companies produce pallets according
- 40.00 × 48.00 inches
- 45.9 × 45.9 inches
- 42.00 × 42.00 inches
- 43.30 × 43.30 inches
- 39.37 × 47.24 inches
- 31.50 × 47.24 inches
Are there alternatives for pallets??
[1]Obviously there are alternatives available in packaging companies. Of course, Plastic pallets are one of the very first alternatives. But clearly slip sheets are also another type of alternative. Although they are similar to pallets, there are some differences too. Unlike the wooden pallets, you can easily move a slip sheet with its forklift.[1]
On the other hand, comparative to pallet companies needless cost for production and cheap for consumers as well.Besides they are easy to store too.
Wooden crates
Although there are different alternatives still packaging companies widely produce them. This is because people use them widely for different fruits and vegetables as well. Let’s look into types of crates available.
wire-bound crates
Obviously packaging companies produce them, especially for beans and corn. They are also available in different sizes. Surely in this packaging material, it has a larger amount of open space. This will aid the good ventilation and cooling process.[1][2]
clearly, it has a high stacking strength. And also it is less affected by water. Definitely the wires beneath the stitches are responsible for strength. Companies produce them for oranges, potatoes, and grapefruits as well.
Collapsible crates
Particularly this crate type is convenient in terms of storage. You can easily fold it. And also you can remove the top and the bottom parts easily.[2]
Nailed crates
Well, this is a kind of box with good strength. Usually, people use them for domestic transport. Or else you can use it to transport produce from a farmer to the trader. Like the above one, this is also better for ventilation.
Obviously the advantage is the strength is unaffected by water. And also you can easily repair them.[2]
On the other hand, its production cost is high. And the freight volume is high too.
Baskets and hampers
Packaging companies produce these baskets for a series of sizes. Clearly for fruits and vegetables. Surely you can use it for a range of crops including different berries and yams.[1]
Definitely they are durable but palletizing and disposal is difficult. Clearly it makes them kind of difficult to use.
2. Fiberboard boxes available in packaging companies
Clearly, there are two types of fiber board boxes produced by packaging companies.These are kinds of boxes.Namely,
- Solid fiberboard
- Corrugated fiber board
Solid fiberboard
Well, for kinds of boxes if you apply waxes, they are resistant to moisture. You can use them for transporting ginger, tomato and Cucurbita family vegetables.[4]
Besides it is easy to label them with customer oriented information.
Corrugated fiberboard
Clearly, you may have mistaken this as cardboard. But it is not cardboard!! Packaging companies produce them in vastly different designs. Obviously this is one of the most popular packaging materials.[1] [2][4]
More importantly, companies produce them in multilayers. And the multilayers are made of paperboards. Surely they are made of different components.
Package manufacturers easily change the strength of the box. For that, they change facing material, thickness, and fluting material. clearly the number of walls also have an effect here.[2]
Components
First, if they are made of pulp without bleaching, boxes are brown in color. But highly strong. Secondly, if they contain wood fibers and synthetic fibers, then they are extra strong. In addition, packaging companies try to increase recycled fibers . Because that will increase the strength during stacking.
Well, among the types of fiberboard boxes, double-faced fiberboard (also known as single wall board) is most popular. It consists of an inner layer, outer layer, and paperboard in the middle. As a result, it is fairly strong enough to handle perishables.
But recently packaging companies tend to produce multi-walled fiberboard.Obviously they are suitable for packing pumpkins, potatoes, citrus, and melons.Usually packing houses use the triple-walled board as an alternative for wood.
Constraints
- Definitely, When humidity is high these packages lost their strength. Surely by waxing you can prevent this.
- But waxing makes fiberboard difficult to recycle, which means problems occur in landfills.
Positive factors
Most importantly packaging companies form the geometry of the fiberboard in a special way. As a result, it carries the stacking pressure by its corners. Therefore fiberboard can protect the produce from crushing.
3. Pulp containers available in packaging companies
They are made of starch and paper pulp. Therefore definitely biodegradable in nature. Starch act as binders here. Packaging companies produce them in Various designs to attract customers.
Positive factors
Especially these packages can absorb moisture in the product surface. Therefore this is a great solution for berry fruits and small fruit types. Because they easily deteriorate with moisture.
3. shrink wrap films
Obviously it is one of the novel packaging trend.You can easily use shrink wrapping for corn, onions, apples and yams like potatoes. And also it is better for tropical fruits too.
Positive factors
- Surely they can prevent diseases
- Unlike other packages it avoids shrinkage.
- Most importantly prevents damage
Rigid packages
Usually, these packages are also called clam-shells.Top and the bottom parts are formed from plastics.Packaging companies produce them due to various favorable factors they posses.However, now they are becoming popular due to many reasons.Now Lets look what those factors are,
- They are fairly cost-effective
- Very attractive appearance
- Definite physical protection from damage
Clearly you can use them for berries and small fruits. And most probably for mushrooms too.
Packaging systems available in packaging companies
Well, there are two packaging systems in novel packaging systems. Packaging companies
Active packaging systems
Obviously, in active packaging, we incorporate different constituents to the packaging. So that it can improve the shelf life of the product. Therefore most Packaging companies incorporate active packaging systems to their packages.
Obviously now it is a growing trend. Now let’s go through some types of active packaging systems
Oxygen scavengers
Clearly, when the oxygen levels are high it leads to oxidative reactions. As a result, deterioration happens. Surely it will degrade color and flavor compounds and lipids as well. Look for the examples given below.
1. FreshPax® and FreshMax®
Well, this has good absorbing qualities and it is present in packets. Obviously this can elevate the carbon dioxide level while reducing oxygen level..[3]
Surely they adhere effectively to the package and prevent aerobic microorganisms too.
2. Oxyguard Tray®
Obviously, you can use this scavenger to prevent atmospheric oxygen from entering the package. Besides, it can elevate the carbon dioxide level while decreasing the oxygen level. However, with this active packaging systems, most of the drawbacks occur in packaging companies can be eliminated.[3]
3. Ageless®
Most frequently manufacturers use this oxygen scavenger for their packages. Definitely this will increase the shelf life of the product.
Perhaps you may think oxygen scavengers are the only active packaging systems. But it’s not true. Obviously there are other systems with emitters and absorbers. .[3]
what are those emitters?
Surely those emitters are carbon dioxide and ethanol emitters.
What are the absorbers?
Humidity and ethylene absorbers are examples for that.
Intelligent packaging systems
How can we define this ?
Briefly, we can describe it as a system that monitors food properties. And more precisely it .gives information about the state of the product properties. Clearly it gives a hidden message to consumers if there is any change in the product properties.[3]
Surely, with these packaging systems, it’s possible to eliminate most of the drawbacks in packaging companies. Because they improve the quality of the package.
In which forms are they available??
Obviously There are available in two forms.
- The first form is Time Temperature Indicators
- The Second form is Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Indicators
