Tosca's UDP plastic half pallet, already adopted by the UK's six largest retailers and over 150 FMCG companies, is expanding across Europe, demonstrating that sustainability and commercial performance can coexist.
The UDP is a plastic half pallet (800×600 mm, 500 kg capacity) with particular success in beverage distribution. The only pooled plastic half pallet on the market, it moves directly from production to the shop floor without the need for unpacking or additional handling.
Operational advantages
✅ Supply chain: Space-saving design reduces transport and storage costs
✅ In-store: Retail-ready, eliminates additional shelving and reduces labour
✅ Safety: Minimises musculoskeletal strain for workers
✅ Merchandising: Maximises revenue per square metre, ideal for promotions and impulse purchases
Measurable environmental impact
According to independent analysis, compared to a single-use display of 100 products, the UDP reduces emissions by 400-600 kg of CO₂ equivalent. Fully recyclable and reusable, it supports circular economy objectives and compliance with PPWR and EPR.
UK track record
In the UK, the UDP has transformed beverage distribution through adoption by the six largest retailers. Paired with Tosca's 1-2 litre trays, it has generated:
- Significant time and cost savings
- Documented additional sales
- Faster promotional launches
European expansion
"The UDP is more than a logistics tool – it is a proven revenue driver," explains Laurent Le Mercier, EMEA President at Tosca. "It enables retailers to launch promotions faster and generate sales even when shelf space is at capacity. Following the UK results, we are seeing the same interest growing across Europe”.
Why it matters
The UDP case demonstrates that reusable packaging is not just regulatory compliance, but can become a concrete commercial lever. Quantifiable CO₂ reduction, combined with measurable operational benefits throughout the supply chain, offers a replicable model for European retail transitioning towards circular models.
With new PPWR regulations driving reuse, solutions like the UDP represent a concrete example of how logistics efficiency, commercial performance and environmental sustainability can converge in a single system.
