New Sydney-Based Technical Centre Opened for Fresh Produce Packaging

 

Newly appointed food technologist, Anna Cowper, discusses an Australian produce shelf life test with Packaging consultant, Eddie Tang.

Convex Plastics has opened a new technical centre in Sydney to help meet the growing demand for their life extension re~fresh modified atmosphere packaging.

According to Convex Plastics' Managing Director, Owen Embling, re~fresh packaging is increasingly being used by growers and processors in Australia to get their produce to more distant markets, and keep them on the shelves longer when they get there.

re~fresh packaging has already enabled the viable road transportation of fresh beans from Queensland to Perth, and can be found in almost all leading Australian supermarkets packing everything from mixed salads and stir fry mixes, to fresh herbs, shredded lettuce and carrots.

"The growth in re~fresh sales is primarily driven because we can add value to our clients' businesses by using sophisticated respiration testing and computer modelling to custom design breathable membranes that will prolong the life of their produce," Owen says. "Having a technical centre in Sydney means we can now provide our Australian clients with on-site access to a range of value-adding technical support services such as quality control, shelf-life trials, and abuse resistance testing."

Former Heinz-Watties food technologist, Anna Cowper, has been appointed to head the new Sydney-based technical team. Anna has a strong background in food development and is looking forward to developing her new role in post harvest packaging.

Convex Plastics' technical centre in Hamilton was also expanded last year with two new staff added, and the establishment of a possible third technical centre in Singapore is also currently being considered to service the growing number of re~fresh enquiries from Asia.