StePac

StePac L.A. Ltd. is an established Israeli company specializing in advanced packaging solutions designed to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. The company was founded in 1992 by Israel Ben-Tzur, who returned to Israel after establishing a medical products distribution company in the United States. Initially, StePac produced sterile medical packaging, but an incidental discovery that its bags kept vegetables fresh for longer periods prompted a pivot into post-harvest solutions. This led to the development of its core Xtend® technology.

Operating in the global fresh produce market, StePac serves growers, packers, exporters, and retailers. Its business model revolves around manufacturing and supplying highly engineered packaging that preserves produce quality and reduces food waste throughout the supply chain. The company leverages deep expertise in post-harvest science to create its products. Revenue is generated from the sale of its diverse range of packaging solutions.

StePac's core offering is its Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) combined with a proprietary Modified Humidity (MH) technology. This system creates an optimized environment inside the package by managing water vapor transmission rates and gas composition, which slows respiration, delays aging, and inhibits microbial decay. Its product portfolio includes Xtend® for bulk packaging, Xflow™ for automated packing, and Xgo™ for retail formats like lidding films, standing pouches, and preformed bags. These solutions are tailored for over 50 different types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. A key benefit is the significant reduction in food waste and the ability to ship produce over longer distances, such as enabling sea freight over air freight, thereby lowering carbon emissions.

The company has undergone several ownership changes, reflecting its value and position in the market. It was acquired by Johnson Matthey in May 2015 for £18 million. In 2020, Nili Capital Partners, an Israeli private equity fund, acquired StePac to anchor its new packaging platform, MAPfresh Holdings. Subsequently, in February 2023, PPC Flexible Packaging acquired StePac, adding it to its portfolio of specialized packaging providers. Asaf Shachnai has served as the CEO through these transitions, guiding the company's growth.

Keywords: fresh produce packaging, modified atmosphere packaging, shelf life extension, post-harvest solutions, food waste reduction, sustainable packaging, agricultural technology, flexible packaging, modified humidity packaging, Xtend, Xflow, Xgo, fruit packaging, vegetable packaging, polymer films, breathable bags, supply chain efficiency, food preservation, retail packaging solutions, bulk packaging