IFCO SYSTEMS opens new washing plant in Portugal

IFCO SYSTEMS, the global provider of reusable packaging solutions for fresh produce, launches a new Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) washing plant in Portugal. With the new facility, IFCO is increasing its washing capacity to further increase its efficiency and provide optimal customer service. As part of a continuous innovation process, the system has improved technologies to ensure efficient label drying and removal. The new washing center will triple the washing capacity of IFCO in Portugal to around 30 million RPCs per year.

Increased storage and washing capacity
The new IFCO car wash facility is located in Azambuja -near Portugal's capital Lisbon- and only 500 meters from the local IFCO depot. With 7,200 m² of covered area and 4,000 m² of open space, the facility offers enough storage space to improve the availability of RPCs in Portugal and Spain. In the new washing plant, IFCO will wash all the boxes from the local Portuguese market as well as RPCs imported mainly from Spain.

With more than 50 employees, eight truck loading ramps for loading and unloading and innovative technology, the new car wash will triple the washing capacity of IFCO in Portugal. The facility is capable of cleaning 90,000 RPCs per day, equivalent to about 30 million boxes per year. By increasing the washing capacity, IFCO is also able to clean RPCs imported from other markets, mainly Spain. Through direct cleaning in Portugal, IFCO avoids transporting around four million empty and polluted RPCs to Spain each year.

Innovative technology for more food safety
IFCO RPCs are used to transport fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables, bread, meat and fish. In the food industry, safety has the highest priority - for food, suppliers, employees and customers. That's why IFCO adheres to the strictest hygiene regulations in the industry in all of its car washes. RPCs are washed to the highest standards and according to a strict HACCP plan. The washers from IFCO are equipped with the latest cleaning and drying systems. The new washing plant in Azambuja has an innovative dry centrifuge that thoroughly dries the RPCs to increase both washing capacity and ensure that there are no wet crates in winter. In addition, a new label remover for improved washing performance.

In many of its washing centers, IFCO has installed water recycling systems that reduce water consumption during the washing process. In addition, the company uses energy-saving technologies through combined heat and power. As the industry's most advanced monitoring technology for washing processes, the IFCO SmartGuardian™ system measures and monitors key parameters such as water flow and temperature, pump pressure, contact time and concentration of detergents and disinfectants. The system continuously monitors the washing processes and provides the customer with verifiable data.