New packaging machinery for grapes cuts costs and reduces environmental impact
South African grape supplier Karsten Group has introduced new heat-sealing equipment that will keep costs down while protecting the environment.
The twin lane machine is capable of sealing up to 200 packs a minute, upgrading from low wrapping to heat-sealed punnets.
Manufactured by Packaging Automation (PA), the new packaging will be more widely recyclable. The machinery, meanwhile, will also reduce unplanned downtime by up to 90% through continued operation during repairs, routine maintenance and breakdowns.
The group, through Karsten UK, supplies a range of seedless table grape varieties to major UK retailers.
Bernie Niehaus, packaging and equipment manager from Karsten UK, says: “Choosing PA was an easy decision, we had to make our film work. The machine is very easy to use and PA went out of their way to get us the setup we needed to make it simple.”
