Guide To Choose The Right Pallet

Product Securing & Damage Prevention / 15 Apr 2020

The Pallet is a flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, stacker or pallet jack.

The Benefit of Pallet:-

  • Allowing companies to use vertical spaces in addition to floor space, reducing warehousing costs.
  • Reducing handling time and gain savings in man-hours and a decrease in overtime wages.
  • Damage to goods may be eliminated with the installation of a palletization program.
  • Mechanical material handling helps to cut down on personal accidents due to ergonomic issues often found with manual handling and lifting.
  • Pilferage is reduced when individual items are strapped or wrapped to pallets in unitized bonded loads.

By understanding the benefits that pallets bring, it will be crucial also to understand what kind of pallet do you use to deliver the best out of the cost-effectiveness to your operations.

Pallets are made from various types of materials. The wood pallet dominates the marketplace, followed by plastic palletscompressed wood pallets, paper pallets, and metal pallets.


Wooden Pallets:-

Wooden pallets can be found in various designs. In general, wooden pallets are often used for heavier products in a one-way flow. Untreated wooden pallets are not compliant with ISPM 15. Due to the International Plant Protection Convention (abbreviated IPPC), most pallets shipped across national borders must be made of materials that are incapable of being a carrier of invasive species of insects and plant diseases.

For the pallets to be compliant to the ISPM 15, it must meet the debarking standards, and must be treated by either of the following means under the supervision of an approved agency:-

  • Heat treatment – The wood must be heated to achieve a minimum core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes.
    → Pallets treated via this method bear the initials HT near the IPPC logo.
  • Chemical fumigation – The wood must be fumigated with methyl bromide.
    → Pallets treated via this method bear the initials MB near the IPPC logo.

Pallets such as plastic palletscompressed wood pallets, paper pallets & metal pallets do not need IPPC approval and are considered to be exempt from ISPM 15 regulations.


Plastic Pallets:-

The vast majority of plastic pallets are made from HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene). The distinction between virgin resins and recycled resins is immensely important. Virgin resins are typically more durable on the molecular level than recycled resins, and they perform better when put through the correct design and processes. Plastic pallets are ISPM 15 compliant, stable, and safe packaging solutions for all transport applications. It can be reused numerous times and resist weathering, rot, chemicals, and corrosion.


Compressed Wood Pallets:-

Compressed wood pallets or Pressed wood pallets are moulded through high temperature and pressure processes into one solid piece from dried wood fibers. Compressed wood pallets are recognized worldwide as ISPM 15 compliant with no risk of injury from nails or screws. This type of pallet is also easily stackable and nestable. This characteristic is highly suited to exports and for use as air freight.


Paper Pallets:-

Paper pallets are also referred to as “Eco pallets”, are often used for light loads. Paper pallets are also used where recycling and easy disposal is essential. Paper pallets are cleaner, safer, and lighter and provide a cost-saving eco-friendly alternative to other pallet materials. This is one of the most popular pallet types for loads meant to be delivered via air transportation due to its lightweight nature and thus reducing the air freight cost.


Metal Pallets:-

Metal pallets are usually used for transporting heavy goods, for air-freight, at-sea storage, and long-term outdoor storage. Metal pallets are durable and great for users who require sanitization frequently.


The below table is the comparison of pallets:-

Type of PalletWooden PalletPlastic PalletPaper PalletCompressed Wood PalletMetal Pallet
Price (USD)$6 ~ $10$12 ~ $17.50$5 ~ $15$9 ~ $10$70 & Above
Material90-95% WoodHDPE & PPRecycled PaperRecycled Wood ChipsSteel & Aluminium
Weight15 – 25kg8 – 25kg3 – 8kg7 – 18kg15 – 30 kg
RepairableYesNoNoNoYes
ISPM15NoYesYesYesYes
LifespanDepends on Usage10+ Years1 Time Use1 – 3 Time Use15+ Years
IndustryGeneralPharmaceutical, Food IndustryPharmaceutical, ElectronicsChemical, ElectronicsAutomobile, Oil & Gas
** All price & specification for reference only

If you are still in a dilemma on whether you are using the right types of pallets for your operations, give us a call or drop us an email. Our packaging experts will advise you after understanding the operation’s requirements from your end.

As SYSPEX is not a manufacturer by any means, we will always be material-neutral and only gives advice based on what’s best for our customers.

Syspex have a complete range of Packaging & Warehousing Solution for you!

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