Partnership to Enhance Packaging Efficiency, Durability, and Sustainability for Fruit and Vegetable Markets Across Europe, South Africa, and North America
Smart Packaging Industries AS (SPI) and Royal NNZ Group BV have announced a global collaboration to revolutionize packaging solutions for fruit and vegetable markets in Europe, South Africa, and North America.
This partnership will leverage SPI’s patented packaging technology and NNZ’s extensive distribution network to meet growing demands for quality, sustainability, and efficiency in fresh produce packaging.
SPI brings its patented Q-Bic packaging concept to the collaboration, designed to lower costs associated with logistics, materials, and emissions. The combined expertise of SPI in packaging innovation and NNZ’s market insights and reach will pave the way for a new generation of packaging solutions.
These solutions aim to improve the durability of fruit and vegetables, enhance shelf life, reduce food waste, and comply with strict environmental standards. The collaborative effort seeks to respond to the rising demand for sustainable and efficient packaging that can withstand the challenges of global logistics while minimizing environmental impact.
One of the key highlights of this partnership is the development of innovative packaging products. By merging SPI’s technological expertise and patents with NNZ’s deep understanding of the market, they aim to develop packaging solutions that optimize the handling of fruits and vegetables. This includes products that extend shelf life and increase capacity, allowing up to 2.5 times more consumer-packaged goods to be transported on pallets, trucks, or containers.
Another central objective of the partnership is sustainability. Both companies are committed to implementing eco-friendly packaging solutions that use fewer materials, generate less waste, and minimize the carbon footprint.
Q-Bic® offers a new packaging approach, combining six pyramid-shaped trays into a compact cube with less than 10% air | Image: Courtesy of Smart Packaging Industries AS
The collaboration also emphasizes the global distribution of these packaging innovations. NNZ’s expansive sales and distribution network across Europe, South Africa, and North America will be instrumental in bringing the newly developed solutions to customers worldwide. This network aims to ensure that fruit and vegetable producers and distributors across continents can access efficient packaging solutions tailored to their specific logistical needs and market conditions.
The partnership also aims to offer customer-specific solutions. By focusing on the unique requirements of various fruit and vegetable producers and distributors, the new packaging products will be customized to cater to different sizes, types, and needs of fresh produce worldwide, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
“This collaboration is an exciting milestone for both SPI and NNZ,” said Bjørn Sloreby, Europe director at Smart Packaging Industries AS. “By combining our patented innovation with NNZ’s sales and distribution expertise, we look forward to providing solutions that not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations.”
Len Boot, CEO of the Royal NNZ Group BV, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting the added value to customers. “We are thrilled to begin this partnership with SPI. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to offer even better products and services to our customers and strengthen our position as a leading supplier of packaging solutions. SPI’s ground-breaking and patented innovation gives us a unique opportunity to improve the efficiency and quality of our packaging,” he stated in the news release.
Patrick Boot, the chief financial officer for North America at NNZ, emphasized the practical benefits of the Q-Bic packaging concept. “We look forward to exploiting the many advantages of this unique innovation. With Q-Bic, we can offer our customers even better solutions to handle the demanding logistics and transport conditions we encounter across the globe. With long distances and varying climates, we can now offer packaging that not only protects products better but also reduces costs and improves product durability. This collaboration not only gives us a competitive advantage in the market, but also an opportunity to lead the way in the development of future packaging solutions,” he commented.