Radio frequency packaging trials provide glimpse of green future
to rapidly seal materials, enabling conventional plastics to be
economically replaced with recyclable and biodegradable
alternatives, has a bright future.
Radio frequency (RF) applications group Stanelco has just received the results of an innovative trial carried out in conjunction with UK supermarket Asda. The company wanted to see whether RF technology used to process polymers could help create packaging solutions capable of preserving foods for longer.
According to Stanelco, a range of fresh food products packed in RF-technology packaging was found to provide excellent results in relation to odour, appearance and taste.
Gas analysis was also used to demonstrate organoleptic acceptability, further emphasising the opportunities that RF technology presents to the food packaging industry.
The stability trials were carried out on food trays made from a single polyester material and sealed using Stanelco's technology using a polyester film lid. The equipment used to seal the trays was a conventional tray-lidding machine, which had been retrofitted with Stanelco's technology.
The trays contained a well-known foodstuff packed in a protective, inert, atmosphere.
"This is an important step on the road to commercialisation," said Ian Balchin, Stanelco chief executive.
"It demonstrates that laminated materials can be replaced with more economic, recyclable materials sealed using Stanelco's revolutionary energy-efficient technology and paves the way for in-store retailing trials and on to full commercialisation."
Many analysts believe that biodegradable packaging has a bright future. Growing environmental awareness and consumer power coupled with the inexorable rise in pre-packaged disposable meals means that food manufacturers and packagers are increasingly being targeted to improve their environmental performances.
Datamonitor statistics show that more than one-third of European consumers live alone and are spending €140 billion a year on food, drinks and personal care products. Single people spend 50 per cent more per person on consumer-packaged goods than a two adult household. Such trends underline why the environmental impact of food packaging has never been greater.
Stanelco was founded in 1953 and is now a world leader in the development of radio frequency technologies for processing polymers for edible and packaging applications and the design and manufacture of optical fibre technology, induction heating and dielectric welding equipment.
The company's current core business is the manufacture of optical fibre using RF.
Stanelco has been applying its technology to other markets. Current developments include biodegradable air cushion packaging, sealing of low-cost conventional plastics for food packaging, water-soluble detergent capsules, foamed starch trays, edible sachets and waste packing.
