XACT has launched two new packaging solutions designed to help retailers reduce the amount of plastic packaging they use for fresh produce.
The Rev Elephant has been designed specifically for cartonboard punnets with wings, while the Rev Condor has been developed for taping bunches of loose produce.
Xact said one major UK retailer has already recognised the benefits of the Rev Elephant, which is described as a ‘high speed, high productivity’ closing machine, to help it switch from a plastic film/tray wrap combination for one of its fresh produce ranges, to recyclable cartonboard.
Following a successful trial, the recyclable cartonboard punnets are currently rolling out across the grocer’s UK stores.
The Rev Elephant is said to deliver speeds of up to 250 packs per minute. It closes the containers by applying food grade, hot melt glue, and prints the variable information directly onto the punnet.
Suitable for a range of fresh produce and non-food packaging lines, both automated and manual loading, Xact explained that the the compact packing ensures no damage to delicate produce and the container is ‘fully optimised’, avoiding empty spaces inside the package.
Rachel Bastow, marketing manager at Xact, commented, “Our Rev Elephant machine is a game-changer for the grocery industry. Up to approximately three times faster than other solutions on the market, the machine enables retailers to meet demand both in terms of pack quantity and quality.
“We have a proud track record in helping food producers and retailers tackle complex problems and is it hugely rewarding to have helped one of the country’s leading grocers deliver on its plastic reduction promise.”
The Rev Condor is an automatic taping machine, described as ‘ideal’ for securing bunches of loose fresh produce. It can also be used to tape elongated produce such as leeks, celery and courgettes as well as round products including melons, coconuts and pineapples. For produce such as bananas, the taping method is said to help maintain product quality, allowing them to ripen in their natural state.
Featuring a double independent taping mechanism and a dispenser capacity per channel of 620m, Xact revealed that the machine can automatically tape 40-45 loose products per minute. The tape can be manufactured from either PP, paper or compostable materials, and customised according to a retailer’s specific branding.
Rachel Bastow added, “These two new additions to our Rev range mark a significant step forward in the move towards making the UK grocery industry more sustainable. They are proof that fresh produce can be packed effectively, at speed, without affecting product quality and with a lower environmental impact. We are very much looking forward to partnering with more retailers to bring the benefits of these game-changing machines to the wider sector.”
