ILIP at the Global Berry Congress with LIFE+, an innovative solution to improve shelf life and freshness of fresh produce
ILIP renews its sponsoring of the Rotterdam congress: on Tuesday 28 March, during the Tech Talks in the networking area, the innovation will be presented jointly with its partner, Sirane.
Bologna, 24 March 2017 – It is the new packaging system that combines an unvented and anti-mist heat-sealable punnet, an active pad, and a heat- sealed laser-perforated film, to extend the preservation of delicate produce, such as strawberries and berries. It is no surprise, then, that ILIP has chosen to present LIFE+, after the success at Fruit Logistica, at the Global Berry Congress, the international gathering being held in Rotterdam from 27 to 29 March.
Starting on 10:45 on Tuesday, 28 March, during the first Tech Talk held in the event’s networking area, the innovative features of LIFE+ will be illustrated by Roberto Zanichelli, ILIP’s Sales and Marketing Director, and Karl Heggarty, Sales Executive for Food Packaging of Sirane Group, a partner in this project, together with Plastopil.
The new system is based on the Emap concept (Equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging), and ensure a specific gas mix inside the packaging thanks to the synergistic effect of three different elements: an active pad, an unvented punnet, and a heat-sealed laser- perforated film. The LIFE+ system features two types of absorbent pad, both of which have been realized in partnership with Sirane Group: the ANTB active absorbent pad which inhibits mould and fungal growth; the alternative ETHA active absorbent pad is capable of absorbing ethylene thus slowing the ripening process of the fruit.
The punnets have moved beyond the traditional perforations: these airtight trays are designed to prevent air from entering and nullifying the effect of the active pads. The punnets are subjected to a special anti-mist treatment in order to prevent fogging, thus giving greater visibility to the product. The packaging is closed with a heat-sealed film: the film, developed in partnership with Plastopil, has microscopic laser perforations, designed to ensure a specific gas exchange while at the same time ensuring the natural metabolism of the fruit itself, in order to avoid triggering fermentation.
“LIFE+ is a groundbreaking news for fresh produce packaging, as it offers a one-stop-shop solution for active packaging that can extend the freshness, the weight and the organoleptic characteristics of the products”, explains Roberto Zanichelli. “At the same time, LIFE+ represents a shift for ILIP itself which has gone from being a packaging supplier to a real partner in the development of innovative solutions in collaboration with its customers.”
Once more, this year ILIP is a sponsor of Global Berry Congress, and will be present in the networking area of the event with an exhibition booth where visitors can obtain information on LIFE+ and on the company’s other products. The event will also be attended by Mauro Stipa, ILIP’s Sales Manager for Fresh Produce Packaging, and Riccardo Guidi, Area Sales Manager for Fresh Produce Packaging.