An end-to-end flexible packaging company has released technology for waterless flower packaging with an extended shelf life.
The India-based company, Uflex, worked with a Netherlands-based shelf life extension technology company called PerfoTec on a solution that they claim makes the use of water in the supply chain redundant.
The shelf life of flowers can be extended using Active Modified Atmospheric Packaging (AMAP) technology, which is already used in fresh fruit and vegetable markets.
Facing the challenge of humidity inside the packaging of flowers during transport, which can create diseases such as Botrytis, Uflex developed a new biodegradable film called Flexfresh.
This works to keep the product breathing in hydrated oxygen and release excess humidity, keeping the flowers dry.
Using a fast respiration meter from Perfotec, Uflex was able to measure the oxygen demand of flowers.
Laser technology makes micro-perforations on the Flexfresh film to allow enough oxygen for the flowers to stay alive and prevent them from excess oxidation.
The flowers are “put to sleep” and can go without water for five days as the humidity is fed back into the flower when it continues to breathe.
Once the package is received by the customer and opened, the bouquet remains fresh in a vase for at least a guaranteed seven days.
