The vase life, the quality decay and the presentation of fresh products are highly influenced by the applied package.  The application of a suitable package during storage and distribution is particularly important for fresh tropical products as they are usully perishable and transport distances are considerable.

Optimal package
The optimal design of a package depends on:
- properties and behaviour of the product
- specifications of the package material
- application
- conditions in the distribution chain
- price
- legislation on package materials

Expertise
Our researchers carry out research, provides expertise and performs consultancy on the packaging of tropical crops. The expertise and facilities include:
- developing (MA) packaging systems (eg. retailer, transportation)
- determination of properties of packaging materials (eg. gas permeation)
- determination of properties of products (eg. respiration, ethylene production)
- optimisation of the distribution chain
- testing of materials and packages under climatised conditions
- introduction of new packages in practice
- modelling MA-contitions and product behaviour
- quality evaluation
- sensory analysis

New developments:
- application of fungistatic natural compounds
- application of biopolymers
- application of glues

We offer a unique combination of disciplines covering quality evaluation from the field to the consumer.