A 10% extra revolution in crate fit

There’s a quiet revolution in soft fruit packaging that’s taking Europe by storm. Heat sealed or lidded, a range of 5 depths of European punnets  manufactured in recycled PET with three perfect fit lid heights is shaping the future of packaging, for good.   

The heat is on…with SPEP heat seal: 10% extra in fixed or foldable European crate 25% faster on the line 29% reduction in packaging waste  

A modified r-APET material is used for heat seal application ensuring either a permanent or peelable seal depending on the application.  During 2007 Sharpak in conjunction with leading machine makers Multivac undertook a number of trails with growers and packers to demonstrate the heat sealing concept and to prove to customers the shelf life benefits, the reduced packaging costs and food waste in fresh production under the ‘extrafresh’ brand.

With heat seal technology Sharpak offers two hole options. Firstly a 9-hole option for normally aspirated packs or secondly a single hole option for use with micro perforation technology. 

SPEP lidded: Uniquely there are three lid heights – flat, half and full height meeting all preferences. Better lid retention – this new range combines an enhanced lid that fits snugly and tightly with improved retention properties.

The punnet design ensures easy packing into the standard 60 x 40 crate with a ‘9-up’ format.   

The SPEP family 

The SPEP is a revolutionary European crate fit family of fresh produce punnets that has all these benefits and more besides. Recently launched it is already claiming a 65% market share in continental Europe. Packers like The Greenery in The Netherlands are contributing to the success of the range and to its widespread acceptance as a punnet of choice throughout Europe. The range is available in 5 depths of punnets – 97, 76, 68, 49, 38 & 25. The combination of Sharpak’s packaging and market penetration coupled with  Multivac’s Heatsealing technology and traysealing machinery experience combine to provide a unique and exciting solution to enhance freshness, extend shelf life, reduce packaging costs and materials used whilst helping to lessen landfill waste and CO2 emissions.  

The new range is robust and has been purposely designed for the challenging environments of modern packing systems and for future advances. The SPEP range has excellent rigidity. A sympathetic ribbed design maximises punnet strength for the rigors of modern packing systems without compromising on product display ensuring that the berry fruit is well protected during transit.  The design offers a reduced weight with less material being used in its manufacture. The base of the tray has a cleverly inspired gutter design  that allows rainwater in outdoor harvesting conditions to flow freely to the punched holes without fear of accumulation.  The SPEP range  incorporates a brand new track and trace facility using a unique code tracing the punnet/batch back to its source.