Sustainability in focus: DAERA Minister Muir visits CAFRE

Date published: 16 December 2024

CAFRE provides food packaging technology transfer and innovation support to the local agri-food industry and delivers packaging specific programmes to Food students and industry.

The Minister received a tour of the Packaging Distribution Lab where he was provided with a briefing on the current work being completed within the CAFRE.

Minister Muir heard of the vital support that CAFRE has provided which has enabled several food and drink companies test and evaluate their products as they strive for more sustainable packaging alternatives.

During the visit Fionnula Horisk, Kerry Omagh Plant Manager and Anne O’Neill, Kerry Omagh New Product Introduction Group Leader, highlighted how beneficial this service is.

Anne O’Neill said: “We use the CAFRE Packaging Centre regularly. The service is important for us to ensure quality packaging is used for our wide range of value added dairy and non-dairy beverage products. Our customer base is global, including Korea, Japan and Australia. It is essential we can deliver our products in materials that are fit for purpose and protect their quality. As we use more sustainable materials, CAFRE facilities allow us to test packaging, simulate difficult journeys and enable us to make correct decisions on alternative packaging specifications.”

CAFRE offers a wide range of investigative and analytical services. Examples include the testing performance of oxygen and water vapour transmission rates on polymer films which have been developed for ease of recycling. The team has also been using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) for identification of materials. Other additional testing has been conducted for Box Compression Testing (BCT) of corrugated cases with increased recycled content in the board used to manufacture the cartons.

Packaging is an essential element for the preservation of shelf life and protection of goods during transport through the supply chain. The packaging facilities at CAFRE provide a unique learning environment for the local industry and for students on campus.

For more information, visit the CAFRE website or follow us on socials: DiscoverCAFRE.