IFCO to build Murcia washing centre for up to 140 million reusable produce crates a year
IFCO will build a washing and inspection centre for reusable fresh-produce containers at Alcantarilla, Murcia, in partnership with growers' association PROEXPORT, investing EUR 30m (USD 34m) according to Italian trade coverage and EUR 32.5m (USD 36.5m) according to Spanish regional reporting. Construction starts in December 2026; a first phase of four lines and 70 million washes a year is due in May 2028, and a second phase doubles capacity to 140 million in January 2029. The site will be IFCO's third high-volume service plant in Spain, after Picassent and Yunquera de Henares.
Why this mattersWashing capacity inside Spain's main produce-export region shortens crate turnaround for Murcia growers who now rely on plants outside the region, strengthening IFCO's reusable network.
- Capacity of up to 140 million reusable containers a year once the second phase opens in January 2029
- Investment cited as EUR 30m (USD 34m) in Italian coverage and EUR 32.5m (USD 36.5m) in Spanish regional reporting
- First phase due in May 2028 with four washing lines and 70 million washes a year; construction to start December 2026
- Site in the San Andrés industrial estate covers more than 23,000 sq m
- About 70 direct jobs in the first phase, rising to 140 at full capacity
- Third IFCO high-volume service plant in Spain, after Picassent (Valencia) and Yunquera de Henares (Guadalajara)