What does your fresh produce need from a net?

More product, more packaging weight?

Within retail packaging for fresh produce, net packaging comes in many different forms. Onions, oranges and potatoes are all commonly packed in nets, but the packaging is rarely exactly the same. The product may even be identical. Change the pack weight and the requirements for mesh, strength, dimensions and construction can change with it.

But does packing more product automatically mean proportionally more packaging?

The ratio gets interesting

A relatively small amount of net material can contain several kilos of produce. Increase the amount of product and the packaging weight does not necessarily need to increase at the same rate. But making a net as light as possible is not the objective. It still needs to perform during filling, lifting, handling and transport.

The relevant question is how much packaging is needed to do the job properly.

A few millimetres can matter

Product size influences the mesh, while pack weight places demands on strength. Smaller produce may require a finer mesh, while heavier packs can require a different construction. Colour is another important choice. Because much of the product remains visible, the colour of the net influences how the fresh produce is presented. A red, yellow, green or neutral net can give the same product a different appearance.

Mesh, construction and colour therefore all contribute to the final pack.

It also has to work on the packing line

The net also needs to work efficiently in the packing process. Dimensions, construction and closure need to match the filling equipment. A change in pack weight may therefore require more than simply selecting a larger or smaller net. The finished pack also needs to perform during handling and transport, with retail packs adding requirements for visibility and presentation.

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Finding the right balance

Product, pack weight, mesh, material use, strength, colour and packing equipment all influence how much packaging is required and which solution fits the application. Sometimes a lighter construction is possible. In other applications, additional strength is needed. The important point is understanding where that balance lies. A relatively small amount of packaging has to do quite a lot.

That is what makes net packaging interesting: not simply how little material can be used, but how efficiently that material can perform its function.

The right net starts with the application

There is no single net construction that works for every product or pack size. A lightweight consumer pack has different requirements from a larger pack, even when the product inside is the same. Mesh, strength, material use, pack weight and compatibility with the packing process all need to work together. The right net also needs to contain the product and provide the required presentation. The right net also needs to contain the product and support the required presentation. It is the one that uses the right amount of packaging for the product, process and application.

If you are reviewing your net packaging, talk to one of our packaging specialists. Together, we can look at your product, current packaging and packing process to identify the available options.

Explore our retail packaging for produce