Antimicrobial coating could give shelf-life 'dramatic' boost

Tests on an antimicrobial coating, currently applied to paper-based wrapping for fresh deli products, are extending shelf-life achievable with primary packaging by up to 50%.

Converter Mondi Consumer Coatings says the same inhibiting effect on bacteria and mould growth is possible when its Sanocoat product is applied to paper, film and board for factory-applied packaging.

"This could increase shelf-life dramatically," says md Michael Strobl. "We have carried out tests with cheese, where shelf-life was increased by up to 50%. We have trials in the pipeline with yoghurt film lidding, and this seems to be promising, too." Baby food packs are another option. Mondi is rather more coy about the potential on-cost.

Earlier this year, Germany's Galeria Kaufhof department store started using loose wrapping incorporating the active antimicrobial. The coating is applied to materials for cheese and sliced meats and will soon be used on wrapping for fresh fish, says the retailer.