Fiordelisi, a leading Italian specialist in sun-dried and semi-dried vegetables, has strengthened the efficiency and sustainability of its logistics operations by partnering with Tosca, a global leader in reusable plastic packaging and pooling solutions. By introducing Tosca’s reusable Active Lock Crates across its multi-site operation, Fiordelisi has increased storage capacity, transported more product per truck, and reduced transport-related emissions.
Based in Puglia in southern Italy, Fiordelisi manages its entire value chain – from cultivation to processing – supplying major retailers and manufacturers across Italy and Europe. With sustainability embedded in its long-term strategy, the company continually reviews its operations to identify ways to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high quality and cost efficiency.
Improving storage and transport efficiency across sites
Historically, Fiordelisi relied on traditional stackable plastic crates to move products between production sites and for outbound transport. These crates took up significant space when empty and limited the amount of finished product that could be loaded onto each truck. For a business handling large seasonal volumes of sun-dried tomatoes, these constraints directly affected operational efficiency, transport costs, and emissions.
Seeking a more efficient and sustainable alternative, Fiordelisi began evaluating reusable solutions that could improve both empty-crate logistics and finished-goods transport. Tosca’s reusable plastic offered a clear opportunity to optimise space, reduce waste, and support Fiordelisi’s sustainability ambitions.
Reusable Active Lock Crates designed for real operations
To address these challenges, Tosca introduced its reusable plastic Active Lock folding crates. Built for durability and repeated use, the crates are designed to withstand demanding food processing environments while folding flat when empty. This feature dramatically reduces the space required for storage and transport of empty crates, making them ideally suited to Fiordelisi’s multi-site logistics flows, while the rigid structure and secure locking system help keep products stable in transit, reducing product damage and shrinkage.
Beyond operational performance, Tosca’s pooling and reuse model supports a circular approach to packaging. The plastic crates are reused multiple times, reducing reliance on single-use packaging, lowering waste volumes, and helping Fiordelisi prepare for evolving regulatory and sustainability requirements, such as PPWR.
“Our reusable packaging and pooling model is designed to reduce waste, cut emissions, and improve performance in real-world operations,” said Marco Mangano, Sales Manager – Retail, Tosca. “Fiordelisi is a strong example of how these benefits come together in practice.”
Measurable gains in efficiency, cost, and sustainability
Since switching to Tosca’s Active Lock Crates, Fiordelisi has recorded clear operational improvements. The foldable design allows the company to store five times more empty crates in the same space, significantly optimising warehouse capacity and reducing internal handling.
Transport efficiency has also increased substantially. Fiordelisi can now load 560 additional filled crates per truck compared with its previous packaging solution. This equates to more than one extra tonne of sun-dried tomatoes per shipment, improving cost efficiency while reducing the number of journeys required.
“Being able to send over a tonne more product on the same truck makes our transport both more efficient and more sustainable,” Antonio Fiordelisi, General Manager at Fiordelisi explained. “We reduce the number of trips and the emissions linked to them.”
“When you can transport more product in the same space, you spend less, generate less waste, and emit less CO2. These are tangible, measurable benefits that reusable packaging delivers,” said Gianpaolo Mezzanotte, Managing Director Southern Europe at Tosca.
A partnership focused on continuous improvement
Looking ahead, Fiordelisi expects efficiency and sustainability to remain top priorities and views Tosca as a long-term partner in that journey. “Tosca brings us efficient, consistent, and reliable packaging solutions,” the company noted. “The quality is excellent, the solutions are efficient, and the cost-to-quality ratio is very good.”
“Fiordelisi is proactive in improving both supply chain performance and sustainability. Tosca are proud to support them with reusable solutions that help deliver operational, economic, and environmental value,” said Gianpaolo Mezzanotte.
Together, Fiordelisi and Tosca are demonstrating how well-designed reusable packaging can deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, cost control, and sustainability across food supply chains.
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