Every year, Europe farms over 2 million tons of salmon. Getting this high-value, temperature-sensitive product from farm to processing plant across the continent is a logistical feat — one that currently relies heavily on single-use EPS boxes. These boxes have been the industry standard for decades due to their insulation performance and low cost.
And that’s where The Salmon Solution enters – a smarter, cleaner, and more financially efficient system using Twin Tubs. Not to replace EPS boxes, but to work alongside them and make the whole system more sustainable, more circular, and more profitable.
The Hard Data: EPS vs. Twin Tubs Over 15 Years
Let’s break down what it means to move 2 million tons of salmon every year for 15 years – that’s 30 million tons of fish in total.
EPS Boxes (Single-Use)
- Fish per box: 21.5 kg
- Boxes needed over 15 years: ≈ 1.4 billion
- Weight per box: 750 grams
- Total plastic used: 1,046,512 metric tons (100% single-use virgin EPS)
- Efficiency: 28.7 kg fish per kg of plastic
Twin Tubs (Reusable, 15-Year Life)
- Fish per tub per trip: 200 kg
- Trips per year: 13 (based on a 4-week cycle)
- Total trips per tub over 15 years: 195
- Fish moved per tub: 39,000 kg
- Tubs needed: 769,231
- Weight per tub: 38 kg
- Total plastic used: 29,231 metric tons
- Virgin plastic: 70% = 20,462 tons
- Recycled plastic (from broken tubs or reclaimed PE): 30% = 8,769 tons
- Efficiency: 1,026 kg fish per kg of plastic
Why It Matters
- Plastic Waste Reduction
Switching from single-use boxes to reusable Twin Tubs reduces plastic use by over 97%. EPS boxes require more than 1 million tons of virgin plastic over 15 years, while Twin Tubs – with a 30% recycled content – use just 20,462 tons of virgin plastic.
That’s a difference of over 1,000,000 tons of virgin plastic avoided.
- CO₂ Emissions
Twin Tubs are made of recyclable polyethylene (PE) and can be reused 195 times before being taken back, recycled, and made into new tubs.
According to an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) conducted by the University of Iceland, Twin Tubs emit 80% less CO₂ compared to EPS boxes over the full use cycle.
- Operational Efficiency
- Volume Efficiency: One Twin Tub replaces 1,800 EPS boxes over its lifetime.
- Labor Savings: Easier handling, less waste disposal.
- Storage & Transport: No need for constant resupply of single-use boxes.
- Cost Reduction: Estimated 20–30% savings on logistics and packaging over time for buyers using the tubs.
A System, Not a Replacement
The Salmon Solution is not here to replace EPS boxes.
We understand the industry’s complexity. EPS is lightweight, easy to source, and has proven thermal performance. For many exporters, it’s still the best option for certain lanes and volumes.
But in routes where tubs can rotate – especially in closed-loop systems – Twin Tubs offer a massive opportunity to cut waste, reduce cost, and shrink your carbon footprint.
How It Works in Practice
- Tubs go from farmers to processing plants across Europe.
- After unloading, they’re cleaned/disinfected, inspected, and returned within 4 weeks.
- After 15 years of use, old tubs are recycled into new ones.
- The system is maintained by iTUB and partners, who offer washing, repairs, take-back and tracking services.
Financial Incentives
The numbers speak for themselves:
| Packaging Type | Fish moved per kg plastic | Plastic used (15 yrs) | Estimated Savings |
| EPS Boxes | 28.7 kg/kg | 1,046,512 tons | – |
| Twin Tubs | 1,026 kg/kg | 29,231 tons | 20–30% saved |
The Call to Action
If you’re transporting salmon – whether you’re a producer, exporter, or processor – now is the time to rethink the box, and add Twin Tubs alongside single-use boxes.
The Salmon Solution offers a proven, tested, and scalable.
EPS isn’t going away — but with Twin Tubs, we can make every shipment smarter.
Ready to Join the Solution?
We’re already working with industry leaders like Arctic Fish and Adri & Zoon to roll out this system across Europe. You can be part of the change.
Let’s reduce plastic, cut emissions, and boost efficiency – together.
Contact our team to get started.
