Author: Willex

Packaging plays an important role in our daily lives. On average, every Dutch person opens about seven packagings a day. In this article we discuss several frequently asked questions about packaging vegetables and fruit.

In what ways can fresh produce be packaged?

Plastic is normally used, but bioplastic and paper are popular as well.

Why is plastic (still) so popular?

Fresh produce remains fresh longer when packaged in plastic. It’s because vegetables and fruit contain a lot of water, which they would easily lose when exposed to the outside air. As soon as a cucumber loss moisture, its freshness degrades as well as its taste. By packaging vegetables and fruit in plastic, this process is slowed.

Isn’t plastic bad for the environment?

Although plastic is regarded as bad for the environment, it is just as easy to recycle as paper, for instance. Plastic does not, however, break down on its own, which means we have to be aware of its use. Plastic does not belong in nature. Instead, it is to be separated in the trash.

What is the advantage of using paper as packaging?

A large advantage of paper is its versatility. It allows you to use any option in printing and shape.

Suppose I would like to use environmentally-friendly packaging, what do I choose?

Each packaging puts strain on the environment in one way or another. For example: a packaging made from paper may appear to be better for the environment than plastic. However, producing paper packaging requires more resources than the plastic variant of the same size. Looking at it from that perspective, paper is more harmful for the environment (woods in this case) than plastic.

What requirements does a packaging have in order to be used?

Packaging has to be safe for public health. No harmful substances from a packaging should end up in food. It also should not have influence on the taste, smell, color and solidity of the product.

What role does DL play in packaging fresh produce?

ur many years of experience in packaging fresh produce allow us to give you sound advice on it. We also have the option of providing your packaging with labels that contain the perishable date.

Besides suitable packaging and labels we also have space available to store your goods: safe, cooled and with the right certificates (including biological produce).

As you may have noticed by now: DL is ready and able to help you with every aspect of logistics when it comes to your fresh produce. Contact us for more information or to get acquainted.

Transport between the UK and the EU is becoming increasingly difficult. You will be dealing with more customs procedures and waiting times. This will have consequences, e.g. for ‘just in time delivery’ and the transport of perishable goods.

Whatever form of Brexit it will be: it is almost certain that waiting times at the border will soon increase. Moreover many companies will be faced with all kinds of customs formalities for the first time, which will cost the sector extra time and investment. It is still uncertain who will have to pay these extra costs or how this should be calculated.

If you have any questions about Brexit and what this will mean for your company with regard to logistics, please contact us.

DL Fresh Logistics B.V. and Trade Packing Bleiswijk B.V. have been merged. This new combination can therefore offer a wider range of services.

DL Fresh Logistics, part of DL Logistics group, focuses mainly on the handling and storage of imported fruit, while Trade Packing was specialized in packaging and sorting of fruit and vegetables.

By merging DL Fresh Logistics and Trade Packing, a total supplier in ‘fruit and vegetables’ logistics has been created with an enormous amount of knowledge and experience.

“It has made both companies stronger” says Pieter Laban, director of DL Logistics Group. “Our customers are enthusiastic about the extra services we can now offer.”

Trade Packing has moved from Klappolder 123 to Klappolder 191-193 in Bleiswijk and thus moved into DL Fresh Logistics. “Our joint services complement each other perfectly. By having everything under one roof, we are able to make optimal use of this” says Colino Dimastrapasqua. “We have also opted to drop the Trade Packing brand name and continue as DL Fresh Logistics” says Colino. “As part of the DL Logistics Group the customer can optimally benefit from all the varied services that DL already has to offer, such as air and sea freight.