Now, cut flowers bloom in Uflex’s Flexfresh

Flexfresh works in conjunction with fast respiration meter and laser perforation system supplied by Perfotec BV of The Netherlands.  While the respiration meter ascertains the respiration rate of the flowers, the laser system uses this information to adapt the permeability of the polymeric film with the help of perforation matrix.

In the recent years, waterless internet flower packaging has become popular among global flower companies for the myriad benefits that it brings to the table.

Explaining its benefits, Siva Shankaran, vice-president, Flexfresh at Uflex, said, “The special proprietary polymeric substrate is the first biodegradable (by composting) film that maintains the hydration of flowers during transpiration (evaporation causing loss of moisture during respiration) thus creating a closed loop system. Flowers are put to slow respiration mode by reducing the oxygen availability preventing excess oxidation and dehydration. The film keeps the flowers breathing in hydrated oxygen and releases excess humidity keeping them touch dry. The flowers thus can go without water for a significant number of days.”

This solution enables to hold flowers intact at the destination anywhere between 10-15 days as per the supply chain requirements against the normal shelf-life of 4-5 days offered by conventional packaging. This, in turn, enables florists and retailers to plan and store large inventory. This development is a major shot in the arm for eCommerce companies and retailers.

The solution alleviates the use of millions of gallons of water from the flower supply chain currently used thereby making it one of the most sustainable packaging solutions.  

Internationally, all flowers are transported using expensive air freight from growing region. The typical supply chain is grower, auction house, wholesaler, retailer/ florist and finally the consumer, which is now possible through eCommerce platforms, connecting growers/ brand owners directly to the consumers. “It is now possible to ship flowers through post parcel as the package does not have any water, eliminating the possibility of cross contamination with other courier goods,” Shankaran added. “One of the significant savings that accrues is the fact that nearly 2.7 times more material can be carried per truck, since water is completely eliminated if the transportation.”

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that it is also possible to bring flowers straight from harvest to market by economic sea freight. This results in significant carbon footprint reduction and also enables longer storage between 30-40 days from the time of harvest.