Ingredient specialist Loryma is enlarging its range of functional extrudates that optimise the nutritional value and mouthfeel of various products. The Lory Crisp range brings a crunchy effect to breakfast cereals, muesli bars, and baked goods. Depending on whether they are based on wheat, corn, rice, and quinoa different attributes such as high-fibre, and sugar-free […]
The METER Group has introduced the ROS 1 Moisture Analyzer, a revolutionary, modern, easy-to-use, automated reference method for moisture content analysis.
Swiss fruit-processing company VOG Products has produced a base for apple vinegar (cider) for the first time. For apple vinegar, VOG Products has special tanks for fermentation. Concentrate and juice from high-quality raw goods are used as base for the cider that is further processed by the vinegar industry.
The hubergroup Print Solutions is making more creative packaging and more space for infor- mation with MGA CONTACT, its new sheet-fed offset ink. Thanks to raw materials which have been carefully selected, the ink series is suitable for safe printing on the inside of paper and cardboard food packaging. Together with the right hubergroup dispersion […]
StePac’s lean, automated Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) solutions gained rave reviews among Chilean cherry packers and exporters especially during the recent China cherry export season ahead of the recent Chinese New Year celebrations. The novel packaging formats have proven instrumental in helping the packers make the transition from manual to faster and more efficient automatized processes to counter labour shortage hurdles.
In response to the boom in Cherry exports from Chile to China and the rest of Asia, Chilean packers are using StePac’s novel, lean Xflow proprietary films inbuilt with properties specifically tailored for automated bulk-packaging and long-term storage and shipment of cherries. Packers proclaim Xflow has drastically lowered the dependency on labour and has enhanced food safety by minimizing handling during the packing process. Beyond the boost in operational efficiency, the packaging represents a considerable reduction in plastic packaging and stakeholders are enjoying the benefits of MAP technology, specifically the extension of product shelf life, reduction in food waste and lowered shipping costs associated with sea freight.
The fresh produce packaging innovators have been working with Chilean distributor Empack to diversify its portfolio of bulk and retail packaging to meet the evolving logistical needs for this high-demand fruit and to preserve its full freshness, flavor and nutritional value on its journey from Chile to Chinese consumers which can take 35 days.
Less plastic
The versatile film is especially suited to 2.5kg and 5kg packages and is easily adapted to automatic fillers and packaging lines, allowing for reduced handling and thus significantly less manpower. The lean film also effectively reduces plastic consumption by up to 40%. This product was successfully used by more than a dozen exporters of cherries during the 2021/22 Chilean cherry season.
“The exponential growth in cherry exports, coupled with major labour shortages, created major challenges for Chilean cherry packing houses, calling for more sophisticated packing operations to accommodate both jump in volume and the short and intensive packing season for cherries,” explained Gary Ward, Ph.D., Business Development Manager for StePac.
With more than 44,000 hectares (almost 110,000 acres) of land dedicated to cherry cultivation yielding more than 300,000 tons in annual cherry exports, Chile is the leading global exporter of cherries and is on a trajectory for further year-to-year growth. More than 95% of cherries grown in Chile are exported to the Far East, mainly China, with the bulk of shipments timed to arrive in time for the Chinese New Year. Cherries are considered an ideal gift for the Chinese New Year, as their red colour and round shape represent fortune, prosperity, and eternity in Chinese tradition.
Xgo resealable lidding film makes waves in e-Commerce
Meanwhile in China, StePac’s Xgo resealable top-seal/lidding film has been making waves in the e-Commerce and retail sectors since the last Chilean cherry season.
“This attractive, functional retail packaging solution was designed to take the value of StePac’s MAP technology all the way to the consumer and has been eagerly embraced by our customers in China,” said Guillermo Perez, category manager for Empack. “We currently supply 20 Chilean exporters cherry punnets sealed with personalized printed-lidding films that house smaller 500g-2kg cherry volumes for the Chinese retail sector.”
Xgo’s advanced, lightweight top seal is infused with StePac’s MAP life-extension properties. That preservation activity is regenerated each time the label is resealed, making it ideal for multiple cherry servings. The films can also be easily integrated into automated cherry packing lines and save the need for repacking in China.
“The two novel products have garnered excellent feedback from our Chilean partners. They have reported up to 50% reduction in labour costs associated with sealing, while the customers in China welcomed the boost in customer experience owed to the new lidding film,” said Ward. “We found a strong partner in Empack, who massively invested in flowpack and topseal machinery to propel the smooth transition to automation and to support customers that don’t have their own. Based on these unqualified successes, we are eyeing the northern hemisphere cherry market and expect our products to be adopted widely there in the forthcoming season.”
The Netherlands-based AgriTech start-up Future Crops, is boosting output of a pure, high-yielding basil variety it successfully adapted for cultivation in the company’s primarily solar powered 2,000m2 vertical farm. The advanced, clean-farming technique for this aromatic basil variety will impart a long shelf life and secure a steady supply of locally grown, pesticide-free herb to the European market.
The proprietary seeds were developed at the Israeli Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) by Nativ Dudai, PhD, professor and head of The Unit of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Dudai is considered a prominent global figure in the mapping, breeding and development of basil varieties. His research team was the first in the world to sequence the whole sweet basil genome.
Designated the “king of herbs,” basil is one of the leading three herbs marketed in Europe, alongside mint and coriander. Its distinct aromatic qualities make it a favorite of the culinary world, yet because of its soft delicate leaves, it is unusually demanding to cultivate. Basil requires a minimum of five hours of sunshine daily, and thrives in warm, temperate subtropical climates. It is highly sensitive to cold, making northern Europe a less than ideal spot for growing basil. Basil also carries a characteristically short shelf life, as its tender leaves blacken and wilt easily.
“Most of the basil varieties today have been developed to grow in the outdoors in open fields as well as green houses,” explains Dudai. “Our goal was breeding varieties that would best fit the novel vertical farming paradigm. Our breakthrough in sequencing the basil genome gave us the modern molecular tools for developing cultivars imbued with very specific desired genetic characteristics. We in particular searched for such traits as resilience to environmental stressors, yield capabilities, as well as flavor and textural properties.”
Thanks to extensive shared agronomical know-how and access to Professor Dudai’s impressive seed bank and database, basil seeds harboring all the desired traits were selected and brought together via a process of natural breeding in order to create the perfect seed for cultivation in a vertical farm. This was achieved without genetic modifications or editing. Dudai notes that the team has developed a number of different herb seed varieties via this method. The start-up has finalized negotiations with the ARO Institute to purchase exclusive licensing rights to these seeds for commercialization worldwide.
Future Crops developed ideal climate conditions for its basil, allowing it to thrive year-round even during the cold Dutch winter. Equipped with precision agricultural technology, this signature basil crop is grown on a unique, nutrient-enriched soil-like substrate, with all cultivation parameters – including light, temperature, wind, and humidity, fully controlled.
“Plants behave very differently in closed environments versus in an open field,” says Gary Grinspan, CEO and co-founder of Future Crops. “We are constantly observing and tuning into their growth needs to mimic the outdoor field ambience as much as possible.” As a result of these arduous measures, Future Crops’ vertically farmed basil has almost tripled its yield over the last three years and boasts a shelf life that stretches over two weeks under optimum storage conditions. It also possesses a distinctive, appealing flavor and fragrance that captivates chefs and is completely free of pesticides.
“Our basil has received excellent feedback from Genoa residents, who claim it to be as good as the globally renowned Genovese basil,” Grinspan adds. Genovese basil is considered to be the gold standard in basil cultivation, unmatched in quality and flavor, and a favorite of pesto producers.
Future Crops grows a range of basil varieties, including cinnamon, lemon, lime, and Thai basil. With a focus on the retail and foodservice sectors, the company says it is also targeting food producers, especially makers of pesto.
“We have been able to supply a premium pesto brand with basil that was not appropriate for retail but ideal for use as the base for a condiment,” explains Grinspan. “This proved instrumental in reducing waste while enabling us to provide high-quality product at a reasonable cost, thus using 100% of the crop and contributing to sustainable sourcing and farming.”
Alfa Laval, a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling, will supply membrane filtration systems to a food facility in Denmark for the production of healthy dietary fibre from crop leftovers. The company’s membranes will be used to extract fibres from sources such as brewers’ grains, corn stover and wheat straw, improving the circularity of the food chain.
The Alfa Laval membrane filtration systems will be used to recover and purify crop leftovers, mainly supplied from local farmers, and process it into prebiotic dietary fibre. These prebiotic fibres are not digestible by the human body but help ensure healthy bacteria growth in the stomach.
“This is an interesting order in a new and promising application for our membrane systems improving the circularity of the food chain,” says Nish Patel, President of the Food & Water Division at Alfa Laval “Our efficient membranes will be able to extract valuable fibres and thereby turn former waste into sellable ingredients, which will benefit our customers and the environment.”
Bruker has launched the latest version of its NMR Honey-Profiling™ module for the advanced detection of the ever evolving modes of honey adulteration. The new module expands the growing database to 28,000 reference honey samples, covering over 50 countries, 100 monofloral varieties and many polyfloral varieties. It allows honey producers and distributors to check for […]
Global food processing and packaging solutions specialist, tna solutions, has unveiled the latest iteration of its flagship vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) packaging system, the tna robag® 3e. Featuring a new CXE integrated display controller, smart diagnostic tools and intuitive time-saving components, the system is capable of delivering up to 250 bags per minute […]
As part of its digital transformation drive for food and beverage manufacturers, all new SIG filling line systems and downstream units are now equipped with built-in bi-directional digital recipe management. The solution is also available as an automation upgrade which can be retrofitted to installed and existing SIG filling lines.
June 2025
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