Fresh Del Monte Pioneers Industry Shift with Launch of First-of-its-kind Reusable Plastic Banana Containers in Collaboration with Arena Packaging
07 Noviembre 2023 - 10:18AM
Business Wire
Global produce company will debut the reusable
plastic containers in select Texas markets, setting the path to
decrease environmental impact of banana packaging in the produce
industry
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE: FDP), one of the world’s
leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and
distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruits and
vegetables, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Arena
Packaging, a leading packaging, design, and pooling company in
North America, to introduce Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) for
bananas. The groundbreaking invention aims to transform industry
standards for the leading fruit in fresh produce, while
significantly reducing food waste, carbon emissions, operational
costs, and preserving the fruit's health.
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Fresh Del Monte & Arena Packaging
Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) for bananas (Photo: Business
Wire)
With the introduction of RPCs, banana shipments now enjoy
improved airflow and extended shelf life. RPCs are not only
reusable but also trackable, with a remarkable life cycle of up to
15 years. Each container will be reused approximately five times in
a single year, and if damaged, individual parts can be collected,
replaced, and repurposed.
"Making produce more sustainable for consumers, from the farms
to the shelves, has always been a top priority for Fresh Del Monte.
By emphasizing the reuse of packaging materials, we aim to reduce
our environmental footprint, while promoting a circular economy of
plastics. After years of collaborative work, this groundbreaking
RPC design not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but addresses
fruit quality and pallet shipping density ensuring sustainable
impact at every level of our supply chain,” said Hans Sauter, Fresh
Del Monte’s Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP of R&D.
“Alliances such as this one serve as another example of how we’re
always seeking ways to improve our operations with business
partnerships that strive to achieve a more sustainable future.”
For the past 60+ years, bananas have traditionally been shipped
in single-use cardboard boxes, typically holding up to 40 pounds
per box. These boxes are then transported to grocery stores, where
bananas are air-stacked in the back room, a labor-intensive manual
process that takes between 20 to 40 minutes to complete. Although
cardboard is widely recyclable, developing options where packaging
is reused is a first step in fighting climate change. Prior to
that, bananas were shipped by the stalk hanging from hooks in cargo
ships, which led to the bananas arriving at their destinations in
poor condition. The implementation of the Banana RPC has also
resulted in an overall healthier-looking fruit out on the shelf,
with less handling throughout the supply chain.
“Our collaboration with Fresh Del Monte Produce is set to
redefine the entire process of packing, shipping, ripening,
storing, and merchandising bananas. This marks a significant
milestone in our shared mission to establish a more sustainable and
circular packaging system,” said Tony Arena, Founder and CEO of
Arena Packaging. “Arena Packaging's innovative Banana RPC is the
result of years of dedicated design and validation supported by
industry veteran Jim Vangelos and Fresh Del Monte's Sales VP, Mike
Naftel and Senior Director of Global Packaging, Christian Salnars.
The Arena Banana RPC reduces the carbon footprint by 90% over a
traditional corrugated banana carton.”
Through this strategic collaboration and collective effort,
Fresh Del Monte and Arena Packaging prove that businesses can
achieve more when they work together.
The Banana RPCs arrived at retail stores in the South Texas
region last month, offering consumers an eco-friendly and
convenient way to enjoy their favorite fruit.
To learn more about Fresh Del Monte’s sustainability efforts,
visit freshdelmonte.com/our-approach/.
ABOUT FRESH DEL MONTE
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading
vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of
high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a
leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe,
Africa, and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. markets
its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE® brand (under license
from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation,
quality, freshness, and reliability for over 135 years. The company
also markets its products under the MANN™ brand and other related
trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with
certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del
Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific
Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del
Monte Produce Inc. is the first global marketer of fruits and
vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. In
2022 and 2023, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of
“America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an
independent survey rating companies on three different touchpoints,
including customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust. The
company was also named a Humankind 100 Company for two consecutive
years by Humankind Investments, which recognizes companies that
substantially impact areas such as access to food and clean water,
healthcare, and digital services. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is
traded on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.
About Arena Packaging
Arena Packaging, along with affiliate Arena Products, are
pioneers in innovative reusable transport packaging systems. Arena
has over 30 years of experience providing continuous innovation
under the leadership of founder and CEO Tony Arena. The
family-owned firm provides products and services to a wide range of
vertical markets. Examples include dairy, fresh produce,
non-hazardous chemicals, and HBA. Arena integrates design,
engineering, manufacturing and pooling services, driving
sustainability, improved packaging performance and supply chain
efficiency. The company’s Rochester, New York headquarters features
a state-of-the-art Packaging Test Laboratory and technical team
that performs dynamic and environmental testing necessary for
successful product launches and enhancements.
To learn more, visit: www.arenapackaging.com or
www.arenaproducts.com
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231107168129/en/
Claudia Pou Vice President, Global Head of Corporate
Communications communications@freshdelmonte.com
Fresh Del Monte Produce (NYSE:FDP)
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