There were over 220 different companies that attended and exhibited at the Hort Connections 2024 trade show, with the vast majority of stand holders kept busy across the three days with a record attendance of more than 4,000 delegates.
One of those companies was Result Group and they showcased their EcoMark Natural Branding machine, which is a sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to produce unit labelling.
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There is a 3D camera and a laser inside which maps the fruit as it comes through and the laser will brand a logo or company name directly onto the fruit.
The company is trialling it with all different types of fruit and vegetables but says it is more successful with thicker-skinned fruit, but they have had good results with thinner-skinned fruit as well.
Rather than printing onto the produce with ink or additives, the marking involves laser etching on the outermost layer skin of the fruit.
It is just a bit of heat that changes the pigment in the outer layer, which means there is no impact on the quality of the product and is completely safe to eat.
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"We are doing this to try and get rid of the pesky stickers – that are going to be phased out eventually," Result Group's Lachlan Templeton said. "It's an alternative way to get QR Codes, a brand logo or the company name onto the fruit. It is unable to be removed and is environmentally friendly. It is cost-effective and the return on investment is huge when you are taking away labels and backing paper and all that sort of stuff."