A palladium insert to be used in filled bottles or packaging, first reported on Platinum Today in October 2005, is set to have a big impact on the future of the food industry, it has been suggested.

EMCO Packaging Systems has developed the palladium insert that can be used in a modified atmosphere gas mix containing hydrogen, which it uses to scavenge for oxygen and then bind the hydrogen and oxygen together.

This forms water, which is then trapped between a gas-permeable membrane and a plastic substrate, which is can be put into the caps of bottles.

John Hirst, Managing Director of EMCO, told Food Production Daily that tests are now being carried out for the palladium insert's potential usage on milk powder, including infant formulations, and on wines.

"The snack market is especially interesting to us, for example nuts," he added.

The bulk food market, such as ingredients suppliers, were also mentioned by Mr Hirst as potentially benefiting from the new technology, suggesting that there could be a wide market for the palladium insert in the food industry.

Source:

Palladium insert developed as oxygen scavenger, 18/07/07
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=78276-emco-scavenger-map

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