Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), including vertical and indoor farming, continues to scale rapidly in response to urbanization, climate challenges, and consumer demand for fresher, locally grown produce. But as production expands, so does the need for efficient, reliable packaging systems that can keep pace with high throughput while minimising labor and waste.
That's where Proseal, a JBT Marel brand, is making an impact. Known for its tray-sealing and case-packing technologies, Proseal is helping CEA growers, from startups to high-yield vertical farms, to streamline operations, reduce costs, and protect product quality during distribution.
Making the most of limited space
In urban indoor farms, space is a premium, so equipment must be compact yet capable of handling the complex needs of high-turnover operations. Proseal says that their CP3rs compact case packer was developed with exactly that in mind. "The CP3rs is an ultra-compact, fully automatic case packing system designed to meet the needs of flexible production environments with limited space, such as vertical farms and CEA facilities," says Thomas Reimann, Proseal Account Manager.
Reimann says that despite its small footprint, the CP3rs doesn't skimp on capability. "It supports rapid product changeovers in under a minute and accommodates multiple case formats, all while maintaining high precision and throughput."
"With its advanced servo-driven tray spacing system and integrated vacuum pump, the CP3rs ensures precise, reliable packaging at high throughput to support automated, efficient operations in small, high-yield production environments." This kind of space-aware design is critical for vertical farms operating in dense urban areas, where every square meter matters.
Proseal's CP3rs
Driving efficiency through automation
For CEA facilities looking to scale, automation is essential. Manual packaging can be labor-intensive, inconsistent, and difficult to scale but Reimann says that Proseal's technology offers a more efficient path forward.
"Our tray sealing machines are designed to operate at high speeds with precision, significantly reducing manual labor and increasing efficiency," he says. "The ability to handle larger volumes of produce without sacrificing quality gives vertical farms the edge they need to meet rising demand, particularly in urban markets where delivery expectations are tight."
"This automation capability allows vertical farms to handle larger volumes of produce without compromising on quality or speed, ensuring that products are packaged quickly and securely." The company's systems can be configured for different tray sizes and materials, making it easier for growers to expand their product offerings without investing in entirely new equipment.
Solving the distribution puzzle
One of the biggest challenges facing CEA and vertical farms is distribution - specifically, how to keep fragile, perishable produce fresh from harvest to shelf.
"Maintaining the freshness and extending the shelf life of produce is critical," Reimann says. "CEA and vertical farms often grow perishable items like leafy greens and herbs, which can quickly lose quality. Our packaging solutions are designed to create a protective barrier against spoilage and damage."
The company's Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) technology adjusts oxygen and carbon dioxide levels inside the package to slow down spoilage and maintain freshness, especially during transport. "This helps in retaining freshness and reducing spoilage during transportation. Proseal's technology also ensures that packaged products are secure and protected, reducing the risk of damage during transit."
Built for today, ready for tomorrow
As vertical farming continues to evolve, packaging must do the same. Proseal's systems are designed to be modular, adaptable, and forward-compatible, enabling producers to integrate emerging technologies and expand production with minimal disruption.
"Our focus on sustainability, flexibility, and efficiency helps CEA and vertical farms optimise their packaging and distribution processes, ensuring that fresh produce reaches consumers in the best possible condition." With CEA facilities often located close to urban centres, there's a unique opportunity to reduce time from harvest to table. Proseal's high-speed, MAP-enabled packaging helps realise this advantage.
"This is crucial for preserving the nutritional value and taste of produce during the rapid distribution processes enabled by CEA's proximity to urban markets."
Smart, sustainable packaging
Looking to the future, Proseal sees packaging playing an even greater role in helping vertical farms scale sustainably. The company is investing in recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable materials as well as active packaging technologies that respond to the product's condition (e.g. moisture or ethylene levels). "The future of vertical farming will increasingly rely on sustainable packaging materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable to meet environmental goals and consumer demand," Reimann says.
There's also room for innovation in digital connectivity. Smart packaging features like QR codes or NFC tags could offer consumers more transparency around freshness, origin, and nutritional content.
"Embedded in Proseal's DNA is a commitment to work with material suppliers to develop and test new sustainable packaging solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into our tray sealing systems."
"With a dedicated Research and Technology Center, Proseal is working hand-in-hand with customers and material innovators to ensure that as the industry evolves, so does the packaging that supports it."
For more information:
Proseal
Thomas Reimann, Proseal Account Manager
www.proseal.com
Dittoe Public Relations
Claire Graham
claire.graham@dittoepr.com
www.dittoepr.com