Food packaging plays an integral role in reducing food waste. Micro-, macro- and laser perforations are used in packaging for perishable food products and are used with the aim of extending shelf life and improving moisture retention of the produce.
All produce has different requirements for shelf-life extension. Integrated Packaging’s experienced technical team study the needs, shelf life and what the packaging is going to be used for in each case. The perforations are made during the manufacturing process, and do not affect the packaging’s recyclability in any way.
The table below illustrates the benefits, applications and differences:
MACRO PERFORATION |
MICRO PERFORATION |
LASER PERFORATION |
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Hole size |
The holes are made by mechanically punching holes through the film. The punched holes can be a range of sizes. 3mm, 6mm, 8mm or 10mm | The holes are made by a series of pins. Normally they are 1-2mm in size and are made in banks of holes. | Laser perforation holes are made using a laser. The hole size and position on the packs are customisable. Hole size can vary from 60µm to 160µm. |
Produce Suitability |
Macro perforation is widely found on materials used for packaging fresh fruit and vegetable products including films and bags. It is used mostly for packaging produce that doesn’t require shelf-life extension e.g. potatoes, carrots etc | Micro-perforation is most often used in packaging for fresh bakery products and pies. It is also commonly used to pack cereals, dry pastas, loose pulses and vegetable products. | Laser perforations are used when you want to create Modified Atmosphere Packaging to control the gas composition of a pack. Ideal for Fresh produce, including but not limited to pre-cut vegetable mixes and salad mixes. It is also useful for fresh produce that has a short shelf life e.g. berries. |
Benefits |
Macro holes allow for produce to breathe ensuring that food is both protected and preserved with greater efficiency throughout distribution and retail display.
Macro-perforation packaging offers similar benefits as those offered by micro-perforated food packaging including allowing minimal moisture to build up.
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Micro-perforations allow surplus moisture to escape, which can provide a shelf-life extension to the product.
If vegetables or cereals can be kept fresher for longer, vendors can display products with less wastage and consumers can store them for longer. |
The respiration unit is a tool used to measure the respiration rates of the fresh produce. This data is then used to customise the transmission rate of the pack via laser perforation. A camera controlled, state of the art laser system creates the micro-perforations and ensures the highest levels of precision and consistency right through the production process.
The combination of Respirator and Laser Unit is very effective at putting fruit and vegetables to sleep, extending the freshness considerably |
Extending shelf life and saving costs
Combating food waste is more than just a sustainable solution, it is also a financial incentive for a lot of companies. Integrated Packaging extends the shelf life of products by adapting the perforation of packaging according to the produce’s breathing or respiration requirements.
Integrated Packaging have standard perforation patterns designed for micro and macro perforations to suit most fresh fruit and vegetable products. Custom perforation patterns are also available to fit your product requirements.
Integrated Packaging is the only Australian organisation that utilises PerfoTec Laser Perforation technology. The system provides customers with unmatched packaging solutions for fresh produce with extended shelf-life, improved product presentation, reduced freight costs and reduced food waste.
Talk to the Packaging experts
Speak to our experts about which perforation solution best suit your products, contact the team at Integrated Packaging.
How does Perfotec technology extend freshness?
The PerfoTec Respiration system essentially fine tunes packaging’s transmission rates. The combination of Respirator and Laser unit is very effective at putting fruit and vegetables to sleep. This extends their freshness considerably.
The technology is particularly well suited to large farming operations, with same or similar crops being harvested across different seasons and also growers who have farming operations in different regions that have a different climate.
