From theory to practice: Royal FloraHolland tests EPT trays

Euro Plant Tray (EPT) is an initiative of parties from all links in the European floriculture chain. The aim of this initiative is to introduce a reusable plant tray series with an accompanying pool model. Royal FloraHolland has also been participating in this partnership since the beginning of 2023. Starting this year, we are facilitating the use of EPT trays via our floriculture marketplace to test the use of the trays and the pool model.

Since March 2025, a small group of growers and buyers have been using the EPT trays, and Royal FloraHolland has been facilitating the collection, returns and administrative processing of the trays. At present, physical collection and returns only takes place at our Naaldwijk hub. This allows us to gain experience with the physical and administrative processing of the trays. After all, it is a new packaging  pool with its own characteristics. We process EPT trays as a balance system, similar to CCs. The pricing is also based on this.

Pilot
Users in the pilot programme rent EPT trays directly from Euro Plant Tray GmbH. EPT trays are not yet available for rent through Royal FloraHolland. Automated administrative processing is necessary for the further roll-out of EPT trays through Royal FloraHolland. We expect the first functionalities required for this to be delivered before the end of this year. The remaining functionalities will be built, tested and implemented in 2026. Once this has been completed, we will be able to further scale up the use of EPT. We will inform you about this as soon as more information is available.

You can already rent trays directly from Euro Plant Tray.

Range of EPT trays
There are currently two 400 series models of EPT trays in use via our marketplace: Fc775 for pots measuring 10.5 - 13 cm and Fc777 for pots measuring 12 cm. Last summer, production started on two new 200 series models: the Fc769 for pots measuring 9-10.5 cm and the Fc768 for pots measuring 10.5-13 cm.

Packaging legislation
With the arrival of the new European packaging legislation (PPWR), which came into force on 11 February 2025, our sector faces a major challenge in the coming years. The aim of this legislation is to reduce packaging waste. The single-use packaging currently in use, such as single-use plant trays, must be replaced by reusable solutions. We are pleased to see various developments in packaging and sustainability appearing on the market. This shows that the urgency is clear and that active efforts are being made to find sustainable solutions.

Want to know more
Do you have any questions about the above? Please contact our Customer Contact Centre.