The chart below gives an overview of various types of  packaging for cut flowers. Each type is assessed on a 5-point scale in terms of key characteristics (estimate only).

--   poor
-    mediocre
o    neutral
+   good
++ ideal

For information on the Procona system read further in this website

The water box is a folding box with hand grips, designed to carry a round, plastic bucket. This is a popular packaging solution for flower deliveries to supermarkets. The water box is a single use packaging unit.

With this packaging solution for cut flowers the bunches are laid out together, dry. This packaging solution is often used for airfreight and long-haul destinations.

This packaging solution is used at auctions in the Netherlands. It is a single use rotation system with hire (and a deposit) charged for every rotation.

	Procona	Aqua box	Dry box	Auction bucket
Load factor in packaging	+	o	++	+
Stackability	++	+	++	n.a.
Stability	++	o	++	++
Suitable for transport on pallets	++	++	++	n.a.
Container/bucket suitable for transport on Danish  trolley	++	++	+	+
Container/bucket suitable for transport on auction trolley	++	+	+	++
Suitable for transport on supermarket trolley	+	+	--	o
Labour saving for packing	++	+	--	++
Labour costs unpacking	++	-	--	++
Ventilation	+	--	--	++
No damage to flowers	+	--	--	-
Water	+	+	n.a.	+
Waste	o	--	-	++
Use/application in shop/store	+	+	--	-
Re-use	+	n.a.	n.a.	++
Packaging costs single use in Europe	--	++	++	+
Packaging costs multiple use (10) in Europe	++	--	--	+

The Procona system offers many plus-points – the value of individual advantages depends on operational situations. The following list gives a complete overview of advantages offered by the  Procona system.

Labour

• Packing flowers in Procona is easy, fast and labour-saving.
  
• Right through the chain – from production to sale - there’s no need to re-pack flowers packed in Procona. And there’s no need to trim stems.
  
• Unpacking Procona in the wholesale situation is a real time-saver. Often entire containers are sold.
  
• Unpacking Procona in the retail situation is a real time saver.

Quality

• When packing the Procona, operatives see differences in length and maturity right away. This has a self-regulating effect – thus improving the quality of the cut flowers.
  
• During the chain there’s no need to re-pack flowers packed in the Procona. This avoids damage to the cut flowers.
  
• Flowers in Procona  always stand in water and arrive fresh with the client. This reduces claims.
  
• Procona is a ventilating packaging unit. The temperature and humidity are almost the same as in a chilled truck or cold store. Condensation never occurs. All buds are in direct contact with circulating air.
  
• Thanks to its ventilating qualities, Procona is the only packaging which is suitable for long-haul transportation of cut flowers in water.
  
• In Procona the cut flowers are transported upright. There’s no damage to buds as the flowers do not move in the packaging.
  
• With Procona, the collar is folded around the cut flowers. This avoids  damage to buds.

Logistics

• Procona is a stable and stackable packaging unit. 
  
• Procona’s load factor is better than a box in a bucket/ bucket in a box??? . Depending on type, the load factor is 10-40% better with Procona). 
  
• For cylindrical bunches (irises, tulips, daffodils, etc.) Procona’s load factor is the same as dry boxes. 
  
• For conical bunches (chrysanthemums), Procona has a lower load factor than dry boxes. 
  
• Procona on pallets or loose has a much better load factor than a bucket on a trolley. 
  
• Procona works well with other packaging types because the packaging is so robust. 
  
• Procona fits well on auction trolleys and Danish trolleys (depending on type of container).

Environment

• Procona is made of cardboard and plastic (polypropylene copolymer). Both materials can be 100% recycled.
  
• With multiple use this means saving plastic and cardboard. And savings around transportion mean lower use of fossil fuels.
  
• Procona packaging units have a high residual value. Procona containers are being re-used right across the world. This underlines their intrinsic value, whereas disposing of cardboard packaging costs money.

System

• Procona packaging units are made to last. Procona can be re-used. This is a cost-saver compared with disposables (bucket in a box and also to a degree the dry box). The advantages depend on the number of turn-arounds and stems per packaging unit.
  
• Procona components are real space-savers. Around seven (7) trucks with flowers in a Procona unit are the same as one (1) truck with empty packaging. This saves transportation costs.

Marketing

• Your name and logo can easily be printed on Procona (both container and cardboard collar).
  
• The packaging unit stands out at the wholesalers, Cash & Carry or (super)market. This is a sales-booster.

The initial costs of a Procona are usually higher than with other packaging formulas. However, the benefits of packaging cut flowers in Procona are so great that investment costs are almost always compensated by savings in other areas.

Consult us  – together we can calculate the plus-points for your situation.