refresh range of containers from pps east offers innovative resealable lids, right sizing for retail counter and institutional sales, common footprint for stacking efficiency and design for nestable return.it was hard to keep a &ldquolid&rdquo on the excitement in brussels when reusable seafood packaging supplier pps east launched its new refresh range of innovative new reusable fish boxes at the world&rsquos largest seafood trade fair. interest in the new line was overwhelming, according to the company.called refresh, the new fish boxes are offered in 3kg and 6kg sizing, featuring resealable leakproof lids patent pending design. the lid&rsquos tight seal prevents the leakage of liquids, yet can be easily removed upon opening.both new boxes enjoy the same footprint size while at different heights, so they can be stacked collectively and palletized together. the capability of stacking the sturdy boxes high when full, in combination with the ability to nest the empty boxes, results in substantially lower transport costs.compared to onetrip boxes for shipping fish, customers can achieve a powerful reduction in packaging waste while reducing their carbon footprint. pps states that its refresh boxes are a world first with respect to their ability to be resealed and continue to function as leakproof containers for up to a decade. the boxes are recyclable after their useful life.pps offers both sale or rental of boxes to customers, depending upon the customer and the specifics of the supply chain application. pps offers box delivery, pickup and hygienic washing services, as well as online tracking through its internet based tracking system, enable&trade, to provide traceability and better asset control.&ldquothanks to the support of the north east lincolnshire council and rgf grant aid, we are so proud to have been able to develop and manufacture a totally new type of reusable fish box,&rdquo comments kate williamson, business development manager for pps east. &ldquothese small lidded boxes can be reused and resealed so are great for sending fish straight into the supermarkets, for food service suppliers and into restaurants.&ldquonow that we have the boxes, i would love for a &lsquoforwardthinking&rsquo seafood processor or retailer to allow us to trial the boxes through their supplychain so we can measure exactly how much packaging waste, carbon and money can be saved by changing to the refresh boxes&rdquothe move by pps to over the smaller size fish boxes with lids followed months of careful analysis. the company has supplied 50kg plastic boxes to the humber fish auction markets since 1986, and subsequently rolled out 15kg and 25 kg sizes to meet the needs of fish suppliers in the uk, iceland, france and norway.in recent years, pps identified an interest for smaller box sizes such as 23kg and 56kg for shipment directly to retail fish counter sales, food service businesses for hotels, restaurant deliveries and also for transporting fish by road, sea and air from around europe to be processed. after exploring the need with its customers, pps applied for regional growth funding from north east lincolnshire council, the local authority for the grimsby area.the reusable packaging provider received an rgf grant for 70 percent of the small fish box project, with £140,000 provided for the design, development and the manufacturing of the injection moulding steel tool for the production of prototype boxes. following successful testing and refinements, the new boxes were branded as &lsquorefresh&rsquo, standardized on 3kg and 6kg in a patent pending design, including a brand new resealable leakproof type lid for each box.
