Tosca, Atlanta, announced the results of a compression study that proves Tosca reusable plastic containers (RPCs) are four times stronger than standard corrugated boxes. Tosca commissioned Clemson University, Clemson, S.C., to conduct the study to evaluate the strength of standard corrugated compared to Tosca’s RPCs. 

The findings illustrate how the superior strength of Tosca’s transport packaging solutions for case-ready meat provides better product protection.

Technicians at Clemson’s Transport Package Testing Laboratory, a certified testing laboratory in accordance with the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), East Lansing, Mich., conducted the study using ASTM D642 testing protocol, a standard test method for determining compressive resistance of shipping containers. Compressive resistance is used to evaluate the ability of shipping containers to successfully survive the compressive forces they are subjected to during transportation, distribution and storage. 

The strength of RPCs is a critical factor in the perishables supply chain. A stronger container provides superior protection, reduces product damage and increases the amount of product that can be loaded on each truck. This advantage in cube utilization also impacts loading efficiencies.

“Standard corrugated boxes simply don’t withstand the rigors of packing, shipping and handling,” says Eric Frank, president and CEO of Tosca. “We’ve always been confident that RPCs offer a better alternative to standard corrugated boxes based on our experience and results achieved by our customers. This research allows us to further quantify the strength of Tosca RPCs, and help prove the significant impact RPCs can make throughout the supply chain.”