Cutflower Packaging

Flower Sheets and Bags

PEAKfresh® is a revolutionary packaging technology that prolongs the life of fresh cut flowers and potted plants. PEAKfresh® is a mineral-impregnated polyethylene film that breathes. It has excellent permeability and good deodorizing properties, but its most important benefit is the ability to remove damaging ethylene gas.

Potted plants and freshly harvested flowers fall into the same category as far as damage from ethylene is concerned, and both have the same problems of wilting as a result of moisture loss. One important difference is that if a potted plant, such as a poinsettia, suffers damaged leaves and petals during either packaging or shipping, then the damaged leaves or petals will create excessive amounts of ethylene resulting in either the death of the plant or visual damage to leaves and petals. In the case of cut flowers, there is a high possibility that the formed bud will not open to full maturity.

By using ordinary polyethylene sleeves or sheets (whichever is appropriate), a high level of moisture will be maintained because it prevents the transpired water vapor from escaping the packaged environment. It does, however, also produce levels of carbon dioxide and more importantly ethylene, both of which are usually damaging in high quantities to potted plants and fresh flowers.

The difference in performance of ordinary polyethylene compared with PEAKfresh®:

• The ability of PEAKfresh® to remove ethylene and slow down the ripening process which results in a longer shelf life.
• The increase permeability of PEAKfresh® film allows for the discharge of other damaging gases while, at the same time, maintaining a high level of humidity that is commensurate with the respiration rate of the packaged potted plant or fresh flowers.
• The addition of an anti-fogging treatment to the film also reduces formation of water droplets and thus lessens the potential for mold and bacteria growth.
• Polyethylene will possibly perform for up to three or four days. In situations where temperatures will vary and there is a need for longer packaging times, PEAKfresh® will outperform any other film.