NZ avocado processor awarded for waste-free solution

A New Zealand-based avocado processor has been recognised for its work in establishing a waste-free supply chain.

The winners of the 2017 Packaging & Processing Innovation and Design Awards (PIDA) were announced this week as part of a gala dinner held during the Auspack trade fair.

Among the winners was New Zealand-based avocado processor Fresh Technologies, which was recognised for its sustainability efforts.

The team at Fresh Technologies have been ensuring their avocado harvests are optimally processed and packaged into a range of supermarket products, enabling a waste-free supply chain that can span wide enough to support global growth in avocado consumption.

The combination of Fresh Technologies’ Cold High Pressure Processing (CHPP) and Cryovac Freshness Plus Active Barrier packaging has enabled Fresh Technologies to achieve a chilled shelf life of 90 days, which is a 60-day extension over existing passive high barrier packaging technology.

The smarts behind Fresh Technologies’ CHPP is pivotal to driving extended shelf life, according to Fresh Technologies, and delivers high yields – recovering 100 per cent of avocado flesh, leaving only the skin and seed.

Avocados are currently New Zealand's third largest export.

The PIDA awards were developed by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and the Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) to recognise Australian and New Zealand companies and individuals making a difference in their field.

For the full list of PIDA award winners, click here.