Addressing the challenges of using the right SFK during packaging and transit of flowers, would improve the quality and shelf life of flowers. SFK plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality flowers, but to get the maximum benefit, it must be the right quality and well used.
Silpack Industries Ltd, a national brand known all over the flower the flower growing areas for its innovative, durable, reliable and efficient packaging products and services has introduced yet another first in its SFK line. The super white SFK now undergoing trials with a number of growers may be the answer to numerous challenges faced by growers exporting to the direct market. The white Kraft made of 175gsm can withstand 10 hrs within the first 12 hrs, 9 hrs in 3 days and 7 hrs in 5 days. This is a characteristic which no other SFK can provide.
As per Parit Shah, director, Silpack Industries Ltd more than packaging, the right SFK plays the crucial role in retaining the freshness and shelf life of flowers. “What we see in recent years is heavier boxes. This mostly is not in favour of cost efficiency during the flight. The flowers packed in these boxes will be charged more due to the weight. This is one of the reasons we are looking at this subject.”
So, why are the boxes heavier? The answer is simple, use of more packaging materials which you can easily avoid. Is it a must for growers to use dividers and layer pads? Or maybe we can ask, why growers use dividers and layer pads? Most of the post harvest manager will tell you it is to maintain flower freshness, quality and shelf life. So, is there any other way to maintain the same quality and shelf life without heavy cartons? Yes! the answer is Super White SFK from Silpack Industries Ltd.
That is not all, Growers will tell you their main drivers when choosing an SFK are price, flower protection, branding opportunity, customer requirements and benchmarking against normal industry trends particularly South America. This innovation is practically the solution and that is why it is christened Super White. Though the cost price is slightly higher, growers will always save on freight cost because no need of dividers or layer pads hence a lighter box.
The curiosity that any grower will have is, it has the same grammage with the white kraft, why is it different? The Super white is manufactured using a completely different fibre which has better moisture absorption rate and is more firm. This makes it better in longer cool chain especially direct market.
Keeping pace with the demand growth in flowers especially during valentine, most growers tend to be careless and blame the packaging solution provider. Mr Parit cautions that, growers must use the right SFK size (Width and Flute). Secondly, growers must use the right staples and stapler and use the right rubber bands. This will maintain the flower structure and its quality for better prices.
As Parit, puts it, “growers need to start having a meaningful discussion with their packaging solutions providers. Many still have a reactive approach. Growers and ground handlers, in fact all parties including shipping agents, need to be more proactive and should be discussing the future requirements and necessary investments in order to move the business forward.”