After 10 years of using the BreatheWay® modified atmosphere technology for its own products in the North American market, Apio Inc. has now decided to share its unique packaging with the rest of the world.
Apio has developed passive modified atmosphere packaging which utilises the respiration rate of the produce inside of the bag and the gas exchange. Instead of having laser holes or micro perforations throughout the bag, the company has developed the BreatheWay® membrane, which provides a gateway for airflow. The membrane is coated with a patented Landec polymer which regulates gas exchange and has been developed to have various types of permeability, depending on the fresh produce in the bag.
"What sets us apart is that we can very precisely control the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide. For example, for products like broccoli and lettuce, you need oxygen levels between 2-4% and carbon dioxide levels between 7-10%. Our technology enables the exact levels in the bag. No passive modified atmosphere packaging in the world can deliver those atmospheres." said Dr. Shehbaz Singh, Principal Scientist for Apio.
"The other great thing about our technology is the temperature switch. If the temp rises for whatever reason in the supply chain, the respiration rate inside the packaging increases which causes a drop in the oxygen levels and carbon dioxide levels start to rise, which causes anaerobic conditions in the bag. As the temperature rises, our special membrane will expand, allowing more oxygen to enter the bag to keep levels at the desired amount. Once the temperature goes back to normal, the membrane will return to its original state. This process can happen as many times as needed." continues Dr. Singh.
Sharing the technology with the world
One of the company's biggest clients has been Chiquita bananas, who has been using the technology on their ready-to-go products for years. However, the company has decided to venture out and share its technology with others, providing they are not in direct competition.
"We have had some interest and started working with some European countries, and they have started doing some tests using the technology in the European supply chain environment and the air temperature conditions." shared Dr. Singh.
The company has been working with a variety of locations around the world, but in particular; Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and South America. Each continent has its own needs and for Europe the focus is on cut vegetables and pre-prepared salad bags. South American countries such as Peru and Chile have been looking at using the technology in case liner bags for blueberries, cherries and pomegranates. Apio can provide their special packaging anywhere from 6oz to a 1000 lb pallet. The technology can also be applied to any configuration.
"After the World Packaging Congress in Mumbai, we got to know that India needs the technology pretty badly and we are interested in entering the market there. According to the Ministry of food processing and industry in India, the country saw up to 40% losses on their fresh produce last year. After meeting with key people in India, we feel that there is a big market for our technology.
As a large producer of bananas, pomegranates, grapes and mangoes, we think that our technology can make a big difference for the fresh domestic supply chain, as well as export." concludes Singh.
