IFCO, a global leader in reusable packaging solutions for fresh food, is expanding its reusable plastic pallet portfolio with the launch of Nestor at the Fruit Attraction, which takes place in Madrid from 8 to 10 October 2024. Visitors to the IFCO booth, 5D11 in Pavilion P05, will have the opportunity to explore the new pallet up close and discover its innovative, market-leading features.
IFCO Nestor Plastic Pallet: ultralight, digitally-enhanced pallet for optimized fresh food logistics
At only 14kg, compared to around 22-24kg for wooden pallets, Nestor, the nestable IFCO Plastic Pallet, is ultralight, durable and rackable. For greater stability and secure stacking, Nestor features wider feet, an interlocking design and is reinforced with metal bars to carry loads up to 1,000kg. This innovative space-saving pallet significantly reduces transport legs and carbon emissions along the fresh grocery supply chain.
Nestor is available exclusively through the best-in-class IFCO Pallet SmartCycle, a closed-loop ecosystem for the sustainable pooling of pallets, which is streamlining logistics operations. Fitted with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), GPS and unique QR code technology, Nestor improves trackability and traceability of fresh products from producers through to point of sale.
Marco Geremia, Sales Director Plastic Pallet Europe at IFCO, highlights the features that set Nestor apart: “Our innovative space-saving and ultralight design allows 1,386 empty pallets in a truck. That’s over two and a half times more than is possible with conventional wooden pallets. With Nestor, our customers cut down transport legs by 62%, reducing CO2 emissions and costs. Ventilation is enhanced and order picking is made easy and safe. At the same time, we’ve ensured a solid rack performance. We’ve engineered Nestor to support loads of up to 1,000kg in racks, and I'm proud to say this has been reviewed according to ISO 8611 standards.”
Inigo Canalejo, Vice President ESG and Strategic Marketing at IFCO, comments on the successful combination of the Nestor plastic pallet's durable design and the enhanced IFCO Pallet SmartCycle: “Nestor brings substantial environmental savings to the fresh grocery supply chain. Our superior durable design eliminates the need for frequent inspections and repairs that are common with conventional wooden pallets. And if a pallet is ever damaged, it never goes to waste. We take responsibility for the recycling of any damaged pallets within our closed-loop IFCO Pallet SmartCycle.”
IFCO Plastic Pallets: durable designs and smart tracking tailored to the diverse needs of the fresh grocery supply chain
Conventional Euro pallets usually come in one type, which doesn’t allow for the diverse range of demands of the fresh grocery supply chain. With the launch of Nestor, IFCO now offers two unique types of durable pallets. Nestor’s ventilated design makes this new pallet the perfect base for fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, Dora, the robust IFCO Plastic Pallet was developed to handle heavier loads over hundreds of transport trips ensuring extreme efficiency specifically in automated environments, such as automated warehouses or production lines. Dora was launched in January 2024 and is also available through the IFCO Pallet SmartCycle.
Key features of the IFCO Pallet SmartCycle include the integrated fully automatic digital tracking system, which provides real-time location and status of the pallets. What’s more, the intuitive delivery booking platform simplifies logistics planning.
Both Nestor and Dora share many key benefits:
- IFCO Plastic Pallets have a much lower damage rate, in comparison to over 25% for wooden pallets
- Purpose-built for IFCO reusable packaging containers (RPCs), standard crates and most roller and chain conveyers
- The standardized pallet dimensions in line with conventional Euro pallets and compatible with automated logistics systems
- Made from high-quality HDPE food-grade, contamination-free plastic (DIN 10503 and EHEDG), exempt from ISPM 15 regulations
- Splinter-free, nail-free, rust-free, mold-free, moisture-resistant, non-absorbent
- Designed to carry heavy loads, safely rackable and ISO 8611 tested
Learn more at https://www.ifco.com/food-solutions/reusable-plastic-pallet/
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