What Euro Pool System does

Euro Pool System (EPS), headquartered in Rijswijk, Netherlands, is the largest logistics service provider of reusable standard packaging in the European food supply chain. Founded around 1990 and operating as a division of Euro Pool Group, EPS pools, distributes, washes, repairs, and recycles HDPE plastic folding trays used to transport fresh produce, meat, fish, and bananas between producers, processors, and retailers. The company operates 77 service centres across 38 European countries, generating 1,468 million tray movements annually and processing more than 10 million trays in major depots such as Geldermalsen.

EPS's product portfolio is anchored on proprietary folding trays available in green and black variants across more than 20 SKUs (models 104 through 24604), plus specialised designs for bananas, tomatoes, meat, and fish. These are complemented by a service ecosystem: fully outsourced pooling services, Reverse Service Centres that handle non-tray packaging and unsold products, Digital Services with SSCC-coded tray tracking and customer dashboards, Smart Return Logistics (enabling 'full mix unsorted' returns via vision systems and anomaly detection at 47% of total inbound volume by 2020), IoT-enabled Smart Trays with motion and temperature sensors, and an EFSA-certified recycled-tray programme that granulates end-of-life trays into new feedstock.

EPS operates as a B2B subscription business under multi-year enterprise contracts with retailers, producers, growers, and food processors. Revenue is generated primarily through per-rotation tray rental fees and pooled inventory access; pricing is volume-based and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales with regional directors (e.g., UK & Ireland), supported by content marketing around circular-economy themes, ESG reporting, and EU PPWR positioning. Customers include ALDI UK, The Greenery International, and a broad base of European retailers and fresh-produce suppliers. The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and BRC Storage & Distribution certifications at multiple sites and reports a 36–41% CO2 footprint reduction versus a 2017 baseline, having surpassed its original 20% target.

Name

Euro Pool System

Legal name

Euro Pool System International B.V.

Website

https://europoolsystem.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Euro Pool System is a Netherlands-based logistics provider of reusable standard packaging for the European fresh food supply chain. It pools HDPE folding trays across 77 service centres in 38 countries under multi-year rental contracts with retailers, producers, and food processors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rijswijk

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pooling Services - Tray Rental: Fully outsourced pooling service providing reusable trays on a rental basis. Customers access trays whenever and wherever needed. After return, trays are checked, sorted, washed and repaired for next rotation. Revenue generated through rental fees based on usage volume.
2. Reverse Logistics Services: Outsourced reverse logistics solution for supermarkets handling collection, sorting, and management of return packaging materials including reusable trays, pallets, displays and unsold products. Cost savings through reduced labor, transport, and storage space.
3. Digital Services: Real-time tray tracking and supply chain visibility through digital dashboards. Customers can monitor tray location, logistic transactions, and supply chain steps. Additional insights through performance reviews, fill rates, and anomaly detection.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Euro Pool System operates a fully outsourced pooling service for reusable plastic folding trays used to transport fresh produce, meat, fish, and bananas through the European food supply chain. Customers rent trays on multi-year contracts, deliver them to retailers, and return used trays to EPS service centres for inspection, sorting, washing, repair, and recirculation. Revenue is generated through volume-based subscription/rental fees, supported by Reverse Service Centres (outsourced reverse logistics) and Digital Services (real-time tracking, supply chain dashboards, and SRL analytics).

Product overview

Euro Pool System offers a comprehensive portfolio of reusable packaging solutions centered on folding trays for the European fresh food supply chain. The core product line includes specialized trays for fruits & vegetables, bananas, meat, and fish, available in green and black folding designs with various sizes (models 104 through 24604). These reusable trays have an average lifespan of over seven years, achieve up to 86% volume reduction when folded, and are washed according to strict hygiene protocols after each rotation. The tray portfolio is supported by a services ecosystem comprising pooling services (rental and return management), Digital Services (real-time tracking and supply chain dashboards), Smart Return Logistics (SRL - automated return processing with anomaly detection), Smart Tray Technology (IoT-enabled trays with temperature/movement sensors), and Reverse Service Centres (complete outsourced reverse logistics). The company also operates a Recycled Tray Program that reuses granulated trays to produce new ones, completing the circular economy loop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smart Return Logistics (SRL): Digital programme enabling 'full mix unsorted' return of different tray types on one load carrier, providing visibility into retail return flows and reducing operational costs.
• Smart Trays

Products and services

• Green Folding Tray Series Reusable HDPE folding trays in multiple sizes (24603, 246, 216, 186, 156, 154, 136, 106, 104) designed for fresh produce and general applications. Strong, stackable construction with an easy fold/unfold mechanism, up to 86% volume reduction when folded, and compatibility with automated handling systems; suited for producers, processors, and retailers in the European fresh food supply chain.
• Black Folding Tray Series Reusable black folding trays available in sizes including 24604, 18604, 21604, 15604, 15404, 13604, and 10604. Strong construction, fold/unfold mechanism, up to 86% volume reduction when folded, and compatibility with automated systems; suitable for fresh produce, meat, and specialized applications across European fresh food supply chains.
• Banana Tray 206 Specialized reusable tray designed for banana transport with a smooth inner surface for extra protection, a strong outer frame for stable transport, and a unique design with ventilation holes for optimal cooling and ripening. Targeted at banana producers, ripening operators, and retailers across the European banana supply chain.
• Fish Tray Series (F01, F02, F03) Reusable trays standard in the European fresh fish supply chain. Strong construction compatible with automated systems, with a folding mechanism and multiple sizes (F03, F02, F01). Specifications include 9.35L volume and 6kg max capacity. EFSA-certified recycling and food-approval compliant; aimed at fish processors and retailers.
• Meat Tray Series (106, 104) Reusable trays designed for meat transport and packaging, available in sizes 106 and 104. Strong construction compatible with automated handling systems; designed for meat processors, packers, and retailers operating in the European fresh protein supply chain.
• Tomato Tray T Specialized reusable tray designed for tomato transport, featuring a protective design for delicate produce with proper ventilation for freshness maintenance. Targeted at tomato growers, packers, and retailers across Europe.
• Pooling Services Fully outsourced pooling service providing reusable trays on a rental/return basis to producers, processors, and retailers. Customers access trays whenever and wherever needed across 38 countries; returned trays are checked, sorted, washed, and repaired before the next rotation. Revenue is generated through rental fees based on tray usage volume.
• Digital Services Digital services providing real-time tray tracking and supply chain visibility from grower to retailer and back. Customers access dashboards showing tray location, logistic transactions, and every step in the supply chain, with performance reviews, fill rates, and anomaly detection. ERP system integration enables shareable data on load carriers for customers in the European fresh food supply chain.
• Reverse Service Centres Complete outsourcing solution for reverse logistics at supermarkets and retailers. Combines return streams (plastic trays, pallets, displays, and unsold products) for maximum efficiency, reducing labor, transport, and storage space costs through consolidated collection, sorting, washing, and processing at EPS service centres across Europe.
• Smart Return Logistics (SRL) Digital return-logistics program enabling customers to return mixed tray types on a single load carrier without on-site sorting. Reduces work-in-progress stock, eliminates manual sorting activities through vision systems, and provides a digital footprint for return-chain analytics including fill rates, dwell time, and anomaly detection; customer ERP integration enables shared pictures and summaries. By 2020, 47% of total EPS tray volume received from customers used SRL.

Quantifiable outcome

• 41% less CO2 emissions in 2025 compared to 2017 baseline
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• H2 Green Power & Logistics GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2024Collaboration on sustainable transport solutions through installation of Rapid Charger 150 at EPS Central. Charger generates own electricity from liquid ethanol derived from plant residues, contributing to circular economy. Partnership supports EPS goal of becoming #1 collaborative sustainable partner for retail.
• European Retailer (strategic partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023August 2023 strategic partnership with major European retailer to expand reusable packaging adoption in fresh supply chain.
• European Retailers (various)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Smart Return Logistics partnership with retailers enabling 'full mix unsorted' tray returns. Reduces customer operational costs and provides digital visibility into return logistics. 47% of total EPS tray volume uses SRL program.
• Smart Return Logistics CustomerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative program where EPS and customers co-develop return logistics optimization. Digital footprint sharing and performance reviews help reduce waste in return chain. Partnership includes ERP system integration.
• Fruit Tech CampuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Fruit Tech Campus in Geldermalsen focusing on circular supply chain innovation. Collaboration on Returnables & IoT development, using trays with chips. Work on Coldstore & Data for storage and ripening optimization.
• ALDI UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term agreement on returnable packaging equipment for fresh produce. Partnership supports ALDI's sustainability goals and circular economy initiatives in UK retail operations.
• Lean & GreenminorOthersIndustry association partnership focused on sustainable logistics and reducing carbon emissions in supply chain.
• Fraunhofer InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for innovation in packaging technology and sustainable logistics solutions.
• GroentenFruitHuisminorOthersDutch fresh produce sector organization partnership supporting circular economy in fruit and vegetable supply chain.
• VNO-NCWminorOthersDutch employers' association membership supporting business and sustainability advocacy.
• EvoFenedexminorOthersDutch trade association for logistics, forwarding, and transport sectors.
• IGDminorOthersInternational supply chain and food retail research organization partnership.
• Initiative MehrwegminorOthersGerman reusable packaging initiative supporting transition from single-use to reusable packaging.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IFCO Systems: Global market leader in reusable plastic container (RPC) pooling for the fresh produce supply chain. Operates the same reusable-tray/sorting/washing/redistribution pooling model as EPS, serving the same European and international supermarket and grower base.
• Tosca: US-headquartered pooled reusable plastic packaging provider (crates, pallets, RPCs) with European operations. Competes with EPS on reusable pooling for retail and fresh food supply chains and has been adding tracking/sensor capabilities.
• Contraload: Netherlands-based pooled reusable plastic packaging operator for retail, foodservice and industrial supply chains. Direct European competitor on reusable pooling with comparable customer segments.
• Bekuplast: Germany-based specialist in reusable plastic containers and folding crates for fresh produce, agriculture and retail. Closely comparable in product format and European fresh-food customer base.
• Schoeller Allibert: European manufacturer and pooler of reusable plastic bulk containers, crates and folding boxes. Directly competes with EPS in the reusable plastic container segment for fresh produce and retail supply chains.
• Polymer Logistics: Provider of retail-ready reusable plastic packaging and pooling solutions for fresh produce. Operates a similar pooling/return model for European retailers and offers comparable crate formats.
• LPR (La Palette Rouge): Sister division of Euro Pool System under the same Euro Pool Group parent. Operates the pallet pooling business for the same European retailer and FMCG supply chain; same pooling/rental business model and customer overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Brambles (CHEP): Global pooling leader with CHEP pallet and container pooling serving retail and FMCG supply chains across Europe. Operates a much broader portfolio (pallets, containers, automotive), but is the largest-scale incumbent in pooling with overlapping customers.

Emerging players

• Craemer Group: European manufacturer of reusable plastic containers, pallets and trays with growing pooling exposure. Smaller scale than EPS but competes in reusable plastic format for fresh and retail supply chains.

Regional players

• Rehrig Pacific: US-focused manufacturer and pooler of reusable plastic containers, pallets and RPCs. Similar pooling business model and reusable asset technology but primarily serving North American retailers rather than Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/europoolsystem

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Euro Pool System