New biodegradable packaging to improve Spanish produce

The original plastic bottle has been replaced with a sustainable cardboard carton, with removable lid, and contains a gel formulation - providing a source of water for the predatory bugs during transport. 

Grower feedback

Technical advisor Sergio Moreno Fernández, of agricultural distributor Viagro, says; "the addition of the gel is an interesting innovation. This unique packaging ensures the insects remain hydrated and are therefore highly active as soon as they are released. We welcome the redesign - insect quality is obviously vital."

Esteban Amat from the agricultural cooperative La Mojonera SCA agrees; "we can see the Orius laevigatus is arriving fresher and with more activity - which translates to better thrips control. With the redesigned packaging format, installation is also faster and better."

Esteban Amat - La Mojonera SCA

Jorge Trujillo, from seed company Semillas Fitó, is impressed by the performance.  "Orius quality has been improved - when released, we could immediately see better activity.   Containing less carrier, the Orius fly away more easily and distributes more evenly throughout the crop."

Francisco González Antequera of MJ Agroasesores, pioneers of organic farming in Alméria, believes the packaging is delivering extra value.

"We welcome innovations that make products more sustainable," he says. "We use thousands of units of Orius-System annually, replacing the plastic bottles and caps with biodegradable material is an important step.  It's also proving more practical. The cardboard carton and lid are left in situ - allowing any remaining adults to escape - and removed with the plant debris at the end of the crop."

With first-hand experience of the new redesigned biodegradable Orius-System packaging, these four Spanish growers have welcomed the improvements it has brought in terms of  sustainability, insect quality, and ease of release.

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All Photo Courtesy of Biobest Global

Source: Biobest