IFCO, a provider of reusable packaging solutions, has announced its new wood grain reusable plastic container (RPC) has entered the fresh produce supply chain.
Under a deal announced in October between IFCO and Walmart, the packaging firm initially shipped 30 million wood grain RPCs to fresh produce growers.
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Under the agreement, IFCO will supply wood grain RPCs to Walmart for wet and dry produce that includes apples, citrus items, potatoes, onions and citrus items.
The first shipment of wood grain RPCs has been delivered to Walmart supplier Kings River Packaging of Sanger, California.
Kings River Packaging president David Hines said: "These RPCs represent everything we have come to know and appreciate about IFCO RPC quality.
"The IFCO wood grain RPC features of additional vertical ribbing and enhanced latching are first-rate, and detailed wood grain texture really looks great."
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By GlobalDataWalmart US produce vice-president Dorn Wenninger said: "Walmart customers deserve the very best shopping experience.
"That means the best possible quality at the lowest possible price.
"Wood grain RPCs are one of many changes we are making to improve our overall fresh produce customer experience."
IFCO claimed it invested millions of dollars in the development of its wood grain RPC, which has undergone real world and laboratory testing to verify functionality and product protection capabilities.
The RPC is claimed to be more efficient and protect and cool products better and is more environmentally sustainable than one-way packaging.
