Uflex: Sustainably elongating shelf-life of fresh produce and growing aseptic liquid packaging capabilities

28 Mar 2018 --- In light of modern challenges around food waste, India’s largest multinational company for flexible packaging materials and solutions, Uflex Ltd, presents FlexFresh, a patented film of special polymeric composition and Asepto, First Indian aseptic liquid packaging material brand. FlexFresh works to elongate product shelf life for fresh produce, while the Asepto range touts efficient aseptic liquid packaging solution coupled up with attractive holographic design and aseptic filling capabilities. PackagingInsights spoke to Uflex to get a deeper insight.

FlexFresh
FlexFresh is a patented film made of proprietary polymeric composition that elongates the shelf life of highly perishable produce such as fruits, vegetables and flowers. It is a farm to fork solution which will serve FlexFresh’s main customers: major retailers and supermarkets.

The FlexFresh packaging liners work in conjunction with the Fast Respiration Meter and Laser Perforation system provided by PerfoTec B.V. Besides providing the technological know-how, PerfoTec is the authorized distributor for Europe, Africa and the Americas.

PackagingInsights spoke to Mr. N. Siva Shankaran, Vice President, FlexFresh at Uflex Limited: “There is no technology that parallels FlexFresh, in terms of maintaining shelf life and preventing weight loss due to dehydration. FlexFresh works on the principle of Active Modified Atmospheric Packaging (AMAP). The respiration meter supplied by PerfoTec B.V. ascertains the respiration rate of the fresh produce and the laser system uses this information to adapt the permeability of the film with the help of the perforation matrix.”

The packaging maintains an equilibrium between O2 and CO2 while restricting the humidity between 90-95 percent to avoid condensation and weight loss. Furthermore, the packaging is 100 percent biodegradable and can be industrially composted within 180 days.

Citing a few success stories, Shankaran says, “We have a diverse client portfolio around the world. We are working with retailers in Chile and Argentina for packaging blueberries, in Brazil for packaging papayas and in Colombia and Ecuador for packaging flowers. We are also finalizing a deal with a distributor in Kenya, who will be handling the supply chain for seven countries in Africa. Our packaging solution provides a longer shelf life and a reduction in total supply chain costs. Owing to this effective packaging solution, many exporters of fresh produce around the world have been able to shift from expensive air-freight to economic sea freight.”

FlexFresh is a patented film made of a proprietary polymeric composition that elongates the shelf life of highly perishable produce such as fruits, vegetables and flowers. It is a "farm to fork" solution which will serve FlexFresh’s main customers: major retailers and supermarkets. In light of modern challenges around food waste, a longer shelf life can be a desirable outcome of a packaging film.

ASEPTO
Value addition to aseptic liquid packaging through innovative design solutions
Asepto, from the House of Uflex, is the first Indian aseptic liquid packaging brand with an extensive product portfolio offering mass market formats such as Asepto Pillow, Trio and Brick packs (in volumetric range 65 ml to 1000 ml). The value-added range comprises Asepto Spark and Asepto Premium. The packaging is used in application areas including non-aerated liquids such as juices, health drinks, liquid dairy products and distilled beverages.

Uflex Ltd. has also engineered the associated Aseptic Filling Line called ASEPTO Smart 78 – the first ever fully advanced and sophisticated aseptic filling machine Made in India. Uflex’s latest state of the art aseptic liquid packaging material manufacturing plant located in Gujarat, has an annual production capacity of 7 billion packs. The plant is strategically located close to the port, in order to facilitate global outreach.

Speaking to PackagingInsights, Mr. Ashwani Sharma, President and CEO of New Business Initiatives at Uflex Ltd. states, “In the four months since commencing operations, we have already sold ten ASEPTO Smart 78 Filling Lines. Four of these have been commissioned, with the products already being sold in the market. Our machines have the capacity to process 7800 packs per hour higher than most competitors which generally process 7500 packs per hour. Furthermore, the machine requires low maintenance, bringing down the total cost of ownership (TCO) for our clients.”

Furthermore, on the topic of what differentiates ASEPTO from alternative solutions in the market, Sharma says: “Existing liquid carton packs world over have nothing new and enchanting to offer to the consumers. During the conceptualization phase, when we pitched the ASEPTO packs to existing and prospective clients, they showed a strong interest. By utilizing our in-house holographic and engineering prowess, we offer our clients the opportunity to provide a major edge to their products from a brand marketing and management standpoint. We do so by working with our clients on the package design to ensure that the creativity of the brand owners is reflected in the product while creating a distinct brand identity.”

According to the company, Asepto Spark offers a range of holographic and metallic packs, enhancing the aesthetic and functional elements of aseptic carton packs, giving them a distinct identity at the point-of-sale. Asepto Premium, achieves a distinct look through the use of foil stamping embossing, precision stamping and multi-lens holographic effects, rendering never seen before optical effects of aseptic brick packs.

By Akhil Eashwar Aiyar