IFCO debuts digitally enabled reusable fish crate and plastic pallets

GERMANY – International Food Container Organization (IFCO), a leading provider of reusable packaging containers, has launched a reusable fish crate that ensures food safety, uses Bluetooth Low Energy tags and QR codes to enable real-time data collection, improving cold chain management from fishing boats to retail stores.

The smart reusable IFCO Fish Crate named Marina enables real-time data collection, improving the cold chain management of fresh and chilled products along the entire fish and seafood supply chain, from ship to all points of sale (POS).

Single-use expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes can break down into microplastic pollution and contaminate the marine food chain and human health, so governments around the world are increasingly tightening regulations and introducing EPS bans.

As a result, many producers, wholesalers and retailers in the fishing industry have made eliminating EPS boxes and switching to sustainable packaging a priority. The IFCO SmartCycle pooling system ensures the switch to Marina is simple, seamless and sustainable.

Nestable when empty, securely stackable when full, the Marina Fish Crate saves space on ships and on shore, cutting carbon emissions in transport and improving handling conditions.

Francesca Amadei, Vice President Southern Europe at IFCO, highlights the unique advantages of the Marina Fish Crate, “Marina is the result of intense collaboration across the fishing industry. We’ve taken on board the unique demands of every step of the fresh fish and seafood supply chain in our R&D efforts.”

Additional feature of the crate include double-wall isothermal construction for superior insulation at controlled temperatures, keeping products fresh for longer and smooth surfaces offer increased protection from damage and spoilage, cutting down on food loss and waste.

Smart reusable plastic pallet

Similarly, the company is also set to launch its newest innovation in reusable plastic pallets. Nestor is designed to modernize your fresh grocery supply chain with its innovative and versatile features.

This digitally-enabled, ultralight, and nestable pallet offers unmatched transport efficiency and sustainability benefits.

The ventilated design keeps fruits and vegetables fresher for longer, non-porous, splinter-free, and washable up to 90°C, offering high hygiene standards.

In giving its customers a high-quality HDPE, the pallets are made of food-grade, contamination-free plastic (DIN 10503 and EHEDG), exempt from ISPM 15 regulations.