Transforming the food supply chain: how Tosca’s reusable packaging solutions touch every meal

In a world where supply chains are the invisible lifeline delivering food from farm to fork, the pressure on companies to have a compliant food safety fit-for-purpose solution, increase efficiency, cut waste and boost sustainability has never been greater. Tosca, a global leader for 100% reusable and recyclable plastic packaging and pooling solutions, plays a crucial role in reshaping the modern food supply chain, ensuring that every meal begins with smarter logistics and ends with satisfied, sustainability-conscious consumers. From producers and processors to distributors and retailers, Tosca’s solutions touch every stage of the journey, supporting safer handling, reducing waste, and helping businesses meet rising demands for performance and responsibility. In today’s food supply chain, the right packaging choices are proving more essential than ever.

“Tosca’s mission is to eliminate waste and unlock hidden value across the supply chain,” says Jurgen Van Roy, Vice President of Supply Chain. “From reducing packaging waste to increasing the durability and safety of assets, our model enables businesses to operate more sustainably while enhancing their operational performance.”

Safer, cleaner, smarter: packaging built for food integrity

Today’s consumers care not only about what they eat but also about how it gets to their table. Transparency, traceability and sustainability are no longer optional.

Tosca’s technology-driven solutions support these goals by enabling clear traceability of products and reducing food waste through more stable and hygienic load carriers. Marco Gonzalez, Managing Director of Central Europe Downstream, notes: “Customers want to know that their food is safe and sustainably sourced. 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.”

By helping retailers eliminate food waste resulting from damaged packaging or spoilage, Tosca plays a crucial role in meeting ESG goals and reinforcing consumer trust. Whether it’s meat, dairy, produce, or packaged goods, Tosca provides customisable solutions that are aligned with each product’s unique needs and handling requirements.

Driving efficiency from the ground up

Food supply chains are complex, spanning thousands of kilometres and involving multiple stakeholders. At every link, Tosca’s packaging solutions provide an infrastructure that is both standardised and flexible, allowing retailers and producers to scale without compromising quality.

One of the clearest benefits of Tosca’s approach is its impact on logistics. By using foldable, stackable, and standardised assets, customers can significantly reduce transportation costs and maximise the use of truck space. More impressively, Tosca’s pooling system slashes “empty miles” – trips where trucks return with unused capacity.

Vincent Nagels, Managing Director of Upstream, points to a real-world case: “We had a customer in Denmark sending pallets to Spain, and instead of returning those pallets empty, we now collect them locally and deliver them to another customer in Spain. This simple switch has led to a huge reduction in carbon emissions and transport costs.”

Tosca’s customers also benefit from improved asset visibility and inventory control. In markets such as Central Europe, where Tosca’s RFID and IoT technologies are already in place, customers have access to real-time tracking data that enhances pool transparency and reduces the need for buffer stock, lowering working capital requirements. This leads to greater predictability, fewer surprises, and more strategic planning. From passive RFID tracking to active IoT monitoring, Tosca’s asset tracking capabilities are designed to evolve with customer needs. The company continues to invest in these technologies as part of its broader commitment to smarter, more responsive supply chains.

Sustainability through circularity: Tosca’s closed-loop approach

Reusable packaging is inherently sustainable, but Tosca takes it a step further by embedding circular economy principles into every layer of its business. Instead of relying on single-use packaging that ends up in landfills and drains resources, Tosca’s plastic-based assets are designed for durability, and when they reach the end of their usable life, they are recycled and reborn.

“Our entire model is circular,” says Jurgen Van Roy. “We collect assets, inspect them, repair if needed, and clean them thoroughly with food-approved detergents. If an asset is beyond repair, it’s recycled and reintroduced into the system. No plastic is wasted, and the loop is fully closed.”

This closed-loop approach results in tangible environmental benefits. Tosca’s pooling model reduces packaging waste, cuts down carbon emissions, and helps customers comply with evolving legislation across Europe, such as the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

A powerful, complete solution across the supply chain

What sets Tosca apart is its ability to apply this circular approach across the entire supply chain, offering a complete, reusable packaging solution from producer to retailer that delivers both operational value and environmental benefits.

As Vincent Nagels explains, Tosca is vertically integrated, which means it manages all the value contributors across the entire supply chain. “We are uniquely able to combine our upstream and downstream products to create a powerful, effective returnable packaging for our customers ranging from small-medium companies to one of the largest European FMCGs and retailers.”

Innovation that never stops

Innovation is at the heart of Tosca’s identity. With a dedicated team focused on product design, material science and digital technologies, the company continues to push the boundaries of what reusable packaging can achieve.

“We’re not just reacting to change; we’re anticipating it,” says Jurgen Van Roy. “Our innovation team looks at how to improve the strength and durability of assets, how to make materials more sustainable, how to embed technology like tracking to create smarter, more responsive systems.”

Automation is another area where Tosca is anticipating evolving needs. As warehouses become increasingly automated, the consistency and reliability of plastic pallets become critical. As Marco Gonzalez explains, “plastic load carriers are much more suitable because they maintain their shape, weight, and integrity across multiple uses, which is essential for reliable handling by machines and AI systems.”

A trusted partner in transformation

Tosca’s value extends beyond products. At its core, the company operates as a strategic partner, working closely with customers to assess their needs, identify opportunities for efficiency, and develop long-term solutions. This collaborative approach sets Tosca apart in a crowded marketplace.

“Customers approach us because they see us as experts in reusable plastic packaging. They come to us for our insights. Whether it’s reducing costs, increasing food safety or adapting to new legislation, we work hand-in-hand to find the best way forward,” says Vincent Nagels

Jurgen Van Roy agrees: “We value long-term relationships with everyone in the supply chain – from carriers and retailers to third-party wash centres and recyclers. It’s only through close partnerships that we can continuously improve and evolve together.”

As the pressures on the global food supply chain grow, Tosca’s reusable packaging solutions become vital and transformative.

To find out more, visit Contact Us – Tosca UK