NEW absorbent fruit pad technology which uses anti-microbials effectively to extend the shelf-life of soft and delicate fruits will be Sirane’s major product launch at Fruit Logistica.
The trade show in the German capital will be the first place we have shown our ABV technology to the world – and we are anticipating a lot of interest in the product.
Fruit Logistica – which runs from February 3-5 in Berlin – is one of the world’s biggest fresh produce expos, and the perfect place to introduce this innovative fruit pad.
Simon Balderson, Sirane MD, said: “For many years Sirane has been at the forefront of research into shelf-life extending technology for fresh produce, and this latest product development combines ground-breaking work with existing technologies to create another major step forward. We just can’t wait for Fruit Logistica to begin.
“Many companies have tried to deliver anti-microbial packaging, but this is an effective way of delivering the technology from within the pack right to the heart of the problem.
“Not only do we have the ABV launch, but we’re also on the verge of opening the doors of Sirane Mexico – so a lot of the major soft fruit markets that will benefit from the new fruit pad technology will also have a manufacturing facility based close by, making supply easy.”
Sirane’s new Dri-Fresh ABV pads contain a blend of natural bio-flavonoids and organic acids which work together to naturally enhance the fruit’s own protective defences. Combined with the absorbency within the pad, they offer an outstanding level of protection.
The technology can be supplied as standard absorbent pads or incorporated into our Dri-Fresh Soft-Hold pads – absorbent cushioned pads which prevent damage to soft-fruit during transportation. The technology is activated by moisture – functioning only when needed.
Simon Balderson added: “Shelf-life extension within fruit, particularly the soft-fruit world, is a big deal throughout the industry, just a few extra days can make a big difference.
“Soft-fruit has a short-shelf-life, meaning additional shelf-life is very valuable. It has little in the way of protective skin, so is vulnerable to fungal and bacterial degradation. As it is soft it is also vulnerable to damage during transportation – which can often be a long way.
“This is a completely natural solution to those problems that is very effective. What we’re doing is effectively taking the fruit’s own natural defence mechanism and supplying it when needed in a concentrated form. The results so far have proven to be very impressive.
“The combination of flavonoids which are anti-oxidants and anti-microbial, with organic acids including citric acid and ascorbic acids is harmless, as all elements are found naturally within fruit. It is clean, simple, and effective. Nature itself often has the answers.
“This complements our existing shelf-life extending technologies, including absorbent cushioned pads, anti-fungal pads, ethylene-absorbing pads and labels and more.”
Dri-Fresh ABV has FDA approval, and approval for the EU is in hand. Successful trials have been held in the US with cut fruit – including strawberries – and in the Far East.
Those trials have shown shelf-life extension of several days. Simon Balderson added: “Actual shelf-life extension can be notoriously difficult to quantify, as it is affected by many parameters, however we believe this will offer several days or more additional shelf-life.”
Fruits that would potentially benefit from Dri-Fresh ABV or Dri-Fresh Soft-Hold ABV include all types of berries – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries – as well as other fruits vulnerable to damage including tomatoes, apricots, kiwi fruit, nectarines and grapes.
Sirane’s Dri-Fresh Soft-Hold cushioned pads are already being shipped in large quantities to berry producers across North and Central America and Chile – some of the biggest soft-fruit growing regions globally – with the product starting to appear on supermarket shelves worldwide, including the UK. Dri-Fresh Soft-Hold ABV will only increase this demand.
Sirane’s new factory in Guadalajara, Mexico, will be supplying much of this demand.
Based in the heart of the Mexican growing region – and close to many of the region’s major berry producers – Sirane Mexico opens mid-January. The 1,500 sq m unit will initially focus on manufacturing fresh produce packaging into this rapidly-expanding industry.
Dri-fresh Soft-Hold fruit cushioning pads are ‘absorbent bubble pads’ – perfect for berries of all types – combining the cushioning and protective properties of bubble films with effective absorbency, high permeability and excellent product presentation.
Other products on show at Fruit Logistica will include ethylene-absorbent fruit pads and ethylene-absorbent labels, cherry pads, absorbent crepe packaging for lining crates, and breathable bags and films for extending the shelf-life of fresh produce.
Sirane is a highly innovative product development-to-manufacture company based in Telford, Shropshire. It has four divisions: food packaging; medical and healthcare; industrial and horticultural. The company specialises in absorbent solutions
Sirane will be exhibiting at Fruit Logistica in Berlin from February 3-5, 2016. Our stand is B-09, Hall 8.2. Anyone wanting to know more about any products is welcome to visit…
For more information, click here or email gillian.carter@sirane.com.
