Royal FloraHolland has officially launched its new reusable flower bucket, the Fc555, marking the first commercial transactions using the container filled with Gerbera Aqua (on water).
The launch follows an extended development and testing period aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability within the floriculture supply chain through the use of reusable transport packaging.
“Every day, we work to improve our logistics services and increase efficiency in the supply chain wherever possible,” Royal FloraHolland stated in announcing the rollout. “With the introduction of Fc555, we are significantly reducing supply chain costs and taking another step towards making packaging use in the floriculture sector more sustainable.”
First Deliveries Begin with Colours of Nature
Among the first users is Colours of Nature, a major gerbera supplier in the Netherlands.
Michel Duijvesteijn, commercial manager at Colours of Nature, emphasized the importance of logistics efficiency in serving retail markets: “Selling flowers in retail is a profession,” he said. “Colours of Nature was created to optimally serve the retail channel and take care of everything related to gerbera.” Colours of Nature operates nine farms across the Netherlands and produces approximately 240 million mini gerberas annually, making it the largest gerbera supplier in Europe.
“Together, we supply a carefully selected range of gerberas,” he added. “In order to meet the needs of retailers, not only is the range important, but also a high degree of efficiency.”
Duijvesteijn said the transition from Fc996 to Fc555 reduces handling requirements at the nursery level. “The transition from Fc996 to Fc555 means less handling in our gardens, as the support shelving is no longer necessary when we use Fc555,” he noted. “This also means less storage space is required at our farms. Our tests have also shown that the risk of damage is reduced in the new packaging. We are delighted that we can now start using this new reusable flower bucket as the first product group.”
Design Built for Standardization and Efficiency
The Fc555 combines the base footprint of the smaller Fc566 bucket with the height of the larger Fc577 and Fc588 models. The new format is designed to eliminate the need for single-use cardboard collars and reduce reliance on support shelving systems.
According to Royal FloraHolland, the gerbera product committee alone is expected to save approximately 250,000 kilograms of cardboard annually as a result of the change.
Beyond waste reduction, the design aims to streamline handling. By eliminating support shelving, the Fc555 reduces labor and return flows at both the grower and buyer levels. Fewer shelving components also translate into fewer transport movements and lower system-wide costs. Growers benefit from reduced inventory requirements for collars and support shelving.
Phased Roll-Out Underway
Royal FloraHolland is implementing a phased introduction by product group to ensure availability during peak periods.
Initially, the rollout will focus on Gerbera Aqua, with further phased expansion planned. Gerbera Diamond is expected to follow around June 2026, pending final confirmation. Additional product groups are scheduled to be introduced after summer 2026.
Flower pot use outside approved product groups during the rollout phase is not permitted.
From Prototype to Market
The Fc555 was developed in collaboration with the Gerbera Product Committee and supply chain partners. The concept originated from modifications to existing Fc588 and Fc566 buckets before advancing through testing and refinement.
Royal FloraHolland describes the Fc555 as part of a larger effort to develop standardized reusable packaging solutions in cooperation with growers, buyers, suppliers, and packaging specialists. The development aligns with broader sustainability goals within European floriculture, particularly as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) framework comes into force.
The launch of the Fc555 arrives as European supply chains adjust to the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which places greater emphasis on reuse targets, material reduction, and standardized transport packaging. For pooled systems such as Royal FloraHolland’s, innovations like the Fc555 demonstrate how established reusable packaging pools can continue to evolve in order to eliminate single-use components and improve operational efficiency.
Source: Royal FloraHolland
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
