Packaging machines for fruits and vegetables
Raw, cooked, puréed, juiced, or in soup, we buy them in different forms and consume them in all sorts of ways. Their packaging has a strong environmental dimension, which was made concrete with the adoption of the bill on the fight against food waste and the circular economy on January 30, 2020.
Since the beginning of 2022, batches of fruits and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kg can no longer be sold in France in packaging made entirely or partly of plastic.
"Since January 1, 2022, all retailers selling fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables are required to display them without packaging made entirely or partly of plastic. This obligation does not apply to fruits and vegetables packaged in batches of 1.5 kilograms or more, nor to fruits and vegetables presenting a risk of deterioration when sold loose, the list of which is established by decree."
Several ideas are being explored:
- Eco-design of packaging, which reduces the amount of material used,
- The use of renewable and biodegradable materials (cardboard, etc.)
MG Tech has extensive experience in the design and manufacture of fruit and vegetable packaging machines, particularly case erectors, and supports you in your packaging transition by equipping you with high-performance, scalable machines coupled with recognized expertise in sub-zero temperatures.
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What are the challenges associated with packaging fruits and vegetables?
Packaging fruits and vegetables presents several major challenges related to their perishable nature, their fragility, and increasing environmental requirements. Here are the main challenges:
1. PROTECTION AND TRANSPORTATION
- Product fragility: Some fruits (strawberries, tomatoes, peaches) are very sensitive to shock and require shock-absorbing packaging (cellular trays, nets, cushioning).
- Risk of contamination: Packaging must limit cross-contamination and ensure optimal hygiene, particularly for ready-to-eat products (bagged salads, pre-cut fruit).
- Optimize weight and space: Packaging must be strong yet lightweight to reduce shipping costs and minimize the carbon footprint.
#2 - ECO DESIGN AND PLASTIC REDUCTION
- Replacement of single-use plastics: Trend toward biodegradable, compostable (corn starch, cellulose), or recyclable (cardboard, plant fiber mesh) packaging.
- Avoid over-packaging: Find the right balance between product protection and waste reduction (e.g., eliminating plastic film for cucumbers, using edible stickers or food-grade inks to label fruit).
- Recyclability: Favor single-component materials (e.g., cardboard trays without plastic film) to simplify waste sorting.
#3 - PRACTICALITY AND CONSUMER APPEAL
- Ease of Use: Resealable packaging for dried fruit, pre-perforated bags for product breathability, ready-to-use trays for salads.
- Clear and Informative Labeling: Information on origin, labels (organic, fair trade), traceability, and storage instructions.
- Formats adapted to new consumption patterns: Individual portions, pre-cut fruit mixes for snacking, family packs to limit food waste.
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Why choose MG Tech for fruit and vegetable packaging?
Packaging fruits and vegetables is a key step that ensures the preservation of product flavors while facilitating their transport and marketing. Within the MG Tech group, we support you throughout the end-of-line packaging of your fruits and vegetables to ensure the preservation of your products and packaging suitable for their transport. Our end-of-line packaging machines are suitable for various types of products, such as peppers, apples, frozen vegetable bags, and many others, and support all types of packaging such as flowpack, trays, bags, etc.
Our case formers for fruits & vegetables
Whatever your carton type—single-sided cases with four glued corners, sidewalk cases, dihedral cases, etc.—our case erectors will allow you to automate this time-consuming and essential task at the end of the packaging line.
Multi-format case packers
The machines offered by MG Tech integrate automated and robotic systems to ensure precision and optimal production speed for fruits and vegetables. Our gripping robots, present in our multi-format case packers, allow you to handle fragile products without damaging them.
Additional functions such as product inspection or weighing can be integrated directly into our case packers.This ensures that each package meets the predefined weight, thus avoiding overloads or underloads that could lead to claims or losses.
Logistics circuit for transporting fruits & vegetables
Optimizing internal logistics is a key factor in ensuring efficient production flow management. Logistics, which encompasses automated internal transport systems, plays a vital role in moving fruit and vegetables throughout the packaging line. Conveyors, automated carts, and industrial elevators enable fast and accurate movement of goods, reducing waiting times and the risk of product deterioration.
Autonomous mobile robots (AGVs and AMRs) are increasingly used in the fruit and vegetable logistics sector. These intelligent robots are capable of autonomously navigating warehouses and production areas, transporting pallets or containers without human intervention. Their integration allows for increased flexibility and optimized labor costs, while improving the fluidity of logistics operations.
Our robotic palletizers
Palletizing is another essential end-of-line step. It involves arranging packages on pallets in an optimized manner to facilitate their transport and storage. Fruit and vegetable palletizing is sometimes done manually, but automation with palletizing robots allows for greater efficiency and faster processing.
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Contact us for a customized solution
Packaging machines play a fundamental role in fruit and vegetable packaging. By adapting packaging technologies and packaging types to product specifications, they improve preservation, presentation, and logistics. With developments toward more environmentally friendly packaging and increasingly efficient systems, the sector continues to innovate to meet the expectations of consumers and distributors.
If you would like more information on end-of-line packaging machines suitable for the fruit and vegetable sector, please do not hesitate to request a personalized quote.