Company to build new service centre in Alcantarilla to meet growing demand for reusable packaging
Proexport, the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters of the Region of Murcia, and reusable pooling provider Ifco have announced that they are strengthening their collaboration to continue supporting one of Spain’s primary fruit and vegetable production hubs.
“This partnership will allow Ifco to deepen its ties with the Murcian production sector, gain a better understanding of its needs, and continue developing solutions – such as reusable crates and pallets – that contribute to a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable fresh food supply chain,” Proexport said.
Ifco’s circular economy model is based on sharing and reusing packaging, which is collected, washed, and inspected after every use before being put back into circulation.
Proexport represents 56 fruit and vegetable business groups that market over 1.5mn tonnes of fresh produce each year. Its members are primarily based in the Region of Murcia, as well as in eastern Almería and the Vega Baja area of Alicante, with cultivation operations extending across several autonomous communities. Ninety per cent of its exports are destined for European countries.
As part of this long-term commitment, Ifco has announced the construction of a new service centre in Alcantarilla, Murcia. The facility will bring Ifco’s washing capacity closer to key production areas, enabling the company to meet the rising demand for reusable packaging and provide more localised, agile service to producers and customers alike.
Michael Pooley, CEO of Ifco, commented: “Murcia is a strategic region for the Spanish and European fruit and vegetable sector, and for Ifco, it is essential to be close to those who produce and market fresh food.
“Strengthening our collaboration with Proexport will allow us to gain an even better understanding of the sector’s needs. The new centre in Alcantarilla represents our long-term commitment to Murcia and our dedication to a more efficient and circular supply chain”.
The project involves a planned investment of €30mn and has the capacity to handle up to 140mn containers annually. It is scheduled to open in the spring of 2028. The facility will incorporate the latest sustainability technologies, with initiatives focused on generating renewable energy on-site and minimizing water consumption.
Mariano Zapata, president of Proexport, said: “Our collaboration with Ifco aims to provide solutions for our member companies – solutions that address the needs of a sector that both wants and needs to remain competitive in the national and international markets. This new investment in Murcia will bolster service to our production areas, as we move forward together toward an increasingly efficient and sustainable supply chain”.
Ifco said its commitment to Spain is also reflected in the recent opening of its European logistics centre at its offices in Valencia, as well as its digital hub in Barcelona. With the future centre in Alcantarilla, Ifco said it would continue to strengthen its operational network and its proximity to Spain’s key production regions.
Once operational, it will be the company’s third service centre in the country, joining those in Picassent (Valencia) and Yunquera de Henares (Guadalajara).
