LIFE+, ILIP: “the new system advantageous for the whole supply chain”

Q&A with Luigi Garavaglia, ILIP’s R&D Manager, who presented at Fruit Logistica an innovative system based on the concept of Equilibrium Modified Atmosphere Packaging

Berlin, 9 February 2017 – During the Tech Stage event at Fruit Logistica, ILIP presented LIFE+, its new packaging system for fruit that uses r-PET trays, active pads and laser-perforated film to extend product shelf life. The new system was explained by Luigi Garavaglia, ILIP’s R&D Manager, who then answered a few questions regarding this new product.

Mr Garavaglia, what innovations does the Life+ system provide, when compared with ordinary packaging methods?

With this new concept of packaging system, we would like to offer to our partners, producer or packers of berries, strawberries, grapes and cherry tomatoes a “one-stop shop” solution including non-perforated r-PET trays, active pads and top-films with specific permeability, to extend shelf life of packaged products and reduce food waste.

Life+ has proved to be able to increase shelf life, maintaining the organoleptic properties of fruits. How do its components work?

Life+ is based on the technology we called perforation-mediated EMAP (Equilibrium Modified Atmosphere Packaging). It consists of laser-perforated films that are permeable to gases and are selective, making it possible to obtain a useful combination of gases inside the package and helping preserve the freshness of the fruit by controlling its natural metabolism. The system also includes an active pad that releases natural substances like flavonoids and fruit aids, for better control of the micro flora that causes produce to rot and suffer alterations. All combined with a latest- generation unvented and anti-mist heat sealable ILIP punnet to ensure a specific gas mix inside the packageing and with a special anti-mist treatment in order to prevent fogging and avoid the formation of condensation on the walls.

How long has ILIP been studying solutions that involve active components of the packaging material?

We started a scientific investigation of the interactions between packaging and packaged product in 2012, when we adhered to the Save Food initiative. We began with research on grapes and strawberries, working with the University of Bologna. This scientific investigation is still going on, in the past two years with the University of Foggia and with in-house tests, as well as with tests at the premises of different customers in Italy and Europe.

What competitive advantages does Life+ offer your customers ? What are the advantages for the supply chain?

The advantages of our model work inside the value chain, with positive effects also on our partners clients. The main advantages are being able to benefit from the ILIP know-how and application support in the development of a customized solution; differentiation from direct competitors that results in a competitive advantage and in benefits for retailers or consumers; longer shelf life, maintaining freshness, organoleptic and visual characteristics of the packaged product; marked reduction of weight loss, which means weight compensation isn’t necessary to reach the weight indicated on the label; enlarge the export range; optimization of packing process and relevant cost reduction in a medium term period; food waste reduction and related costs; enhance users’carbon footprint of the packers.

Life+ also represent a new approach in ILIP products range. What does it consist of?

This is the first example of paradigm change that upgrades ILIP from being an ordinary produce tray manufacturer to a real development partner. The initiative starts with the premise that in order to bypass excessive competition and the trivialisation of trays offer in the fresh produce market, it is necessary to build a “differentiating dimension” that competitors find difficult to replicate.

Critical success factors include having deep knowledge of the markets, as well as the know-how necessary to develop projects with customers; availability of packaging components whose combination creates value for customers; protecting the initiative with agreements with suppliers of the parts used for the system.

This “differentiating dimension” is in the model “one-stop shop”, which allows us to provide the market with packaging components manufactured by partners, creating a value network that fit perfectly in our products range.

Finally, in addition to the purely commercial and marketing dimension, this new concept of packaging is part of our commitment to fight food waste, a key issue for manufacturers of food packaging due to its impact on companies’ ethical, social and environmental responsibility.

How can this innovation help fight food waste?

We know that a consistent part of food waste occurs during distribution and final consumption. A packaging system that reduces waste during these phases results in significant benefits. On the other hand, ensuring one or two more days of shelf life helps keeping food from being thrown away if not consumed immediately at home after purchase.

For further information:

Luca Speroni
Ufficio stampa ILIP c/o fruitecom
T +39 059 7863894
M +39 345 4057012

Serena Leoni
ILIP
marketing@ilip.it