For two years now packaging supplier, Loo-Pack, has been supplying various types of packaging. Their focus is on sustainability, "In recent years the demand from customers for sustainable products has been increasing," says owner Daan van de Loo. "Several years ago only 5% of the fruit crates on the market were made of plastic, and 95% were made of wood. Now, 10% of the fruit crates on the market are made of plastic. I see this continuing to grow in the coming years."
Sustainability
Daan continues, "Plastic fruit crate use is growing. Farmers are becoming more aware of sustainability; they also have to contribute to the social responsibility. In addition, there are regulations for using wooden crates because of hygiene issues. I expect that there will be a time (not too far in the future) when Europe will move over to the most hygienic solution."
Daan says that there is a generation of growers that continue to fall back on wooden crates, "But at a certain moment the crates have to be replaced and that is when they can see the benefits of the more sustainable option. In the long term, plastic has more advantages. The plastic crates last longer, are more hygienic, are easier to clean and can be outside without a problem." On the other hand, plastic is a bigger investment. A grower with 20 hectares needs 100 crates per hectare for the harvest. At around 80 Euro per crate, you're talking about some serious money. That is why growers often choose wood during slower periods."
Benelux
Benelux
Loo-Pack mainly supplies to fruit growers in the Benelux region, "An advantage with us is that we offer the right price-quality ratio. We also offer a convenient size: 1 meter by 1.20. We are also flexible." This year is better compared to last year, "Growers are now receiving a better price than last year and we are going to feel that. Last year the growers were getting very low prices for their fruit and they did not have much money left to invest."