- TOP is a Dutch company that provides research, development, and innovation services to food producers and equipment manufacturers. It specializes in technologies to improve the shelf life and quality of fresh and convenience foods. - One of TOP's technology platforms is controlling oxygen and carbon dioxide levels inside food packaging through laser perforation of the packaging film. This automatic perforation process can extend shelf life by 1-5 days compared to uncontrolled perforation. - TOP has developed free software and a database to help customers choose the correct packaging film permeability and perforation levels based on a food's respiration rate and temperature. This optimization of packaging design is a critical control point for food quality.

1. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
"... any business enterprise has two -
and only these two - basic functions:
marketing and innovation"
(Drucker 1954)

2. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Outline
Introduction
Respiration
Summary

3. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP - Value based knowledge company
• Managing Director & Co-owner of TOP
• 22 persons (>25% growth) : BSc / MSc / PhD
• 60% (fresh-convenience) food producers,
40% equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
• Private business oriented D&I service provider
• Start-up’s / JV via Holland Food Ventures
• Technology @ industry scale & ‘real’ applications

4. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP – company indicators
• A worldwide SME’s partner
• Strong focus on corporate R & D & I
• Disruptive (technology) innovations
• Shelf-life & Quality of fresh-convenience
(all natural products, smartness-from-nature)

5. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP – types of services
• Food Design
• Process Development
• Innovation Management

6. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP - Value based knowledge company

7. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP - Value based knowledge company

8. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP - Value based knowledge company

9. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP - Value based knowledge company

10. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP - Value based knowledge company

11. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP - Value based knowledge company

12. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
With Sairem - RF heating @ 1500 kg per hour

13. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP - Value based knowledge company

14. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP - Value based knowledge company

15. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Outline
Introduction
Respiration
Summary

16. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
TOP – Technology platforms
• Pascalisation (HPP) 2x industrial scale
• PurePulse (PEF) >1200 liter/hr, >40oC
• Fresh Convenience : (E)MAP/AMAP
• Mild & Quick heating (RF, MW)

17. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Perfotec : Laser perforation & Automatic OTR Control

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Respiration background of fresh-produce
H2O CO2
O2
N2
Temperature

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Oxygen level must be regulated inside packaging

20. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Design of MAP and EMAP
Time (days)
ConcentrationO2,CO2(%)
Target O2
CO2
O2
Time (days)
CO2 conc
O2 concentration
Classical MA packaging (MAP) Modern EMAP packaging
Target CO2

21. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Advantages of the TOP/PerfoTec System
1. Substantial reduction of costs.
2. Improvement of shelf life + 1-5 days
3. Better product taste.
4. Less waste (sustainable)

22. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
The Best Practice in (E)MAP
packaging for Fresh Produce
is when the laser perforation
process is controlled by the
food producer.

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Why at the location of food producers?
Because:
1. Respiration of produce changes
through the seasons.
2. Film thickness variation.
3. Better integration with NPD process

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Film permeability (OTR)
is a
Critical Control Point
for the Quality.
(QACCP)

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Comparison of different solutions:
•
‘Perforations’ made without Automatic OTR Control
Perforations with Automatic OTR Control
‘Perforations’ made by small needles

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Design of MAP and EMAP
• What are the current research questions?
- How to choose correct film permeability?
- How to decide the amount of perforations?
- How to decide the size of the perforations?
• Our answer :

27. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Design of MAP and EMAP - 2010
Fruit Logistica / FreshConex Berlin 2010

28. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Design of MAP and EMAP - 2010
Respiration rate
Mixed Fruit Prep Test
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
09:34:03
09:42:03
09:50:03
09:58:03
10:06:01
10:14:01
10:22:02
10:30:01
10:38:01
10:46:02
10:54:02
11:02:01
11:10:02
11:18:02
11:26:01
11:34:01
11:42:01
11:50:01
11:58:02
12:06:01
12:14:02
12:22:01
12:30:02
12:38:01
12:46:01
12:54:01
13:02:01
13:10:01
13:18:00
13:26:00
Time
mlair/kg/24hrs
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
TempoC
"RR_O2"
"RR_CO2"
"Temp PT100"

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Free software & database for partners
> 1200 records RM
> 80 packaging materials
> 150 validations studies

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Design of MAP and EMAP - 2010
EMAP

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New development in Q4 2010 (patented)
Glued oxygen scavengers to replace gasflushing

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Effect of scavangers (patented)
Time (days)
ConcentrationO2,CO2(%)
1. Without scavanger
2. With scavanger
(no gas flushing)
1
2
O2 concentration

33. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Outline
Introduction
Respiration
Summary

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Summary of Perfotec-TOP technology

35. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Summary of Perfotec - TOP technology
>> 60 lasers installed
> 10 respiration meters installed since 2010
#7 patents worldwide on EMAP/AMAP
Software/website:
- Effect of temperature on films (validated)
- Effect of temperature on respiration (validated)
- Effect of hole in film on (C)OTR, beta-ratio, ….

36. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
Summary TOP – The R&D&I SME partner
• Application & Implementation (R & D&I)
• Pre-launch of products @ 50 – 2000 kg (IFS/BRC)
• A combined business – science approach
• Sustainable (business) growth (€ + people)
• Knowledge is free for partners (open innovation)

37. Wouter de Heij - French-Dutch Seminar - © 2010
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