Tosca, a global provider of reusable plastic packaging and pooling solutions, is positioning itself as a key partner in building a more sustainable, efficient, and food-safe supply chain for the fresh produce and processed food industries—including potatoes.

From field to fork, Tosca’s portfolio of foldable crates, hygienic pallets, and IoT-enabled tracking systems is helping producers, processors, and retailers reduce food waste, optimize logistics, and meet tightening environmental regulations. In the potato sector, where shelf life, hygiene and handling integrity are critical, such packaging can offer significant added value.

“Tosca’s mission is to eliminate waste and unlock hidden value across the supply chain,” said Jurgen Van Roy, Vice President of Supply Chain. “Our model enables businesses to operate more sustainably while enhancing their operational performance.”

A Closed-Loop System Built for the Demands of Fresh and Processed Potatoes

For growers and packers of fresh potatoes, as well as processors of French fries and other added-value products, Tosca’s reusable packaging ensures secure handling, traceability, and reduced product damage. Its crates and pallets are designed for repeated use in harsh supply chain environments, minimizing the risks of contamination or bruising, especially relevant for delicate varieties or frozen SKUs.

“Our reusable plastic pallets and crates are not only more durable and hygienic, but also designed to prevent damage and contamination. That’s critical for preserving food safety and quality,” noted Marco Gonzalez, Managing Director of Central Europe Downstream.

Tosca’s pooling model helps reduce carbon emissions by minimizing “empty miles” in transportation. One example saw a customer in Denmark send crates to Spain; instead of returning them empty, Tosca rerouted them locally within Spain—saving both fuel and cost.

Digital Tracking and Circular Logistics as Competitive Levers

In sectors with high throughput and seasonality, such as potato processing, Tosca’s RFID and IoT solutions give customers real-time visibility over packaging assets, which improves inventory planning and reduces working capital needs. This aligns with broader efficiency goals in the frozen and chilled potato value chains, which are increasingly reliant on automation and traceability.

The company’s packaging is fully recyclable and part of a closed-loop system. Damaged items are collected, repaired, or reprocessed into new units—supporting customer compliance with Europe’s forthcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

“As warehouses and operations become more automated, consistent and durable plastic carriers are a must,” added Gonzalez. “They maintain shape and weight, essential for machine and AI handling.”

Strategic Relevance for the Potato Sector

Tosca is already working with food manufacturers and retailers across Europe, many of which operate in the potato category. Its vertically integrated structure—spanning product design, cleaning, tracking, and recycling—gives it a unique advantage in offering seamless, tailored solutions to potato processors who are under pressure to deliver cost-efficient, low-waste, and safe products.

“Customers approach us for our expertise in reusable plastic packaging,” said Vincent Nagels, Managing Director of Upstream. “Whether it’s reducing costs, increasing food safety, or adapting to new legislation, we work hand-in-hand to find the best way forward.”

With sustainability and regulatory compliance now top-of-mind across Europe’s agri-food landscape, Tosca’s solutions are likely to become increasingly relevant for players in the potato industry looking to upgrade their packaging infrastructure without compromising on safety or profitability.