All-in-One MAP Tray Sealer LX-5600

AEON BIG Co., Ltd. operates 129 discount stores called "The Big" across 12 prefectures in Japan. The Ginan process center serves as a hub facility supplying seafood and meat products to stores across the three prefectures of Aichi, Gifu, and Mie.
The center recently installed the MAP tray sealer LX-5600 to help maintain the freshness and extend the shelf life of seafood products such as yellowtail and tuna, while improving product presentation and reducing food waste.

Maintaining the quality of seafood products had been a challenge for the Ginan process center. In particular, yellowtail and tuna tend to lose their freshness and change color over time, with this deterioration in appearance resulting in markdowns and disposal.

The LX-5600 was chosen mainly for its ease of operation. MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) is now used for core products such as yellowtail, vannamei shrimp, tuna and salmon, as well as sashimi.

MAP extends the use-by date by 1–2 days compared with conventional packaging. Products retain their freshness and color, fewer need discounting, and waste has dropped by about 1%, helping reduce food waste. The compact LX-5600 also leaves room for an efficient workflow.

For the stores supplied by the center, the longer use-by date allows for consolidated orders and easier control of display quantities, keeping shelves stocked early and late. The biggest benefit, they say, is that the products' appearance doesn't deteriorate. Going forward, the Ginan process center is considering developing ready-to-cook meal kits.