Industrial & Manufacturing Blog
The material chosen for shipping pallets plays a significant role in the integrity of products and ease of handling during the shipping process. In the past, many industries relied on wood pallets for their material handling and shipping needs. However, with the introduction of plastic pallets on the market, many people are caught in a dilemma between the two materials. How do you determine the ideal pallet material for your applications? Here is a comparison between plastic and wood pallets to guide you in making the right choice.
Cleanliness and hygiene
Hygiene and cleanliness are paramount during the handling and shipping of products in industries such as food and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries. Plastic takes the upper hand when it comes to upholding these requirements. Here are some of the features and characteristics of plastic pallets that make them ideal for these industries.
On the other hand, wood is a poor choice of pallets used in hygiene-sensitive industries. It is porous so odors, spills, acids, fats, bacteria, and chemicals can accumulate on the surface and contaminate the shipped products. Also, it has to undergo heat treatment to increase its resistance to rot and contamination by bacteria.
Ease of handling
Shipping pallets should be manufactured from a material that can be easily handled and stacked during transportation for convenience. Plastic is a lightweight material and plastic pallets are easy to handle and move around the warehouse. They are also easily stackable hence saving space during transportation and storage.
Hardwood pallets are strong and sturdy, but they can be quite heavy, and this can make handling quite cumbersome. When choosing wood pallets, balance between weight and strength by choosing a type of wood that's easy to handle without compromising on its strength and product handling capabilities.
Maintenance and durability
Maintenance and durability are critical issues when choosing pallets, especially if you ship products regularly. The types of plastics used in making pallets are quite sturdy and durable. Plastic is not prone to water damage, cracks, splits, and chips, and it can last longer than most wood pallets without undertaking tedious maintenance procedures such as heat treatment.
Most wood pallets are strong and durable. However, splits, cracks, and chips are common during handling, and they can degrade the quality of the pallets with time. When exposed to water and high levels of humidity, wood can rot or attract bacteria and mold growth. For this reason, wood pallets should be regularly maintained.
Choosing the ideal pallets for your handling and shipping needs is paramount in preserving the products' quality. From this comparison, it is evident that plastic pallets take the upper hand and are a suitable material for pallets in most shipping applications.
Share22 August 2016
Almost everybody engages with industry and manufacturing in some way or another. You may work in the manufacturing industry, you may source industrial goods for your business, you may buy housing materials, or you may simply use the products created by these industries. Regardless of how directly or tangentially you are connected to industrial and manufacturing concepts, I think there will be posts in this blog that appeal to you. Hi! My name is Jeb, and in this blog, I am going to cover virtually anything and everything about these two ideas. I hope you don't mind if I write whatever appeals to me on a day-to-day basis related to what I've been thinking of or what I've read in the news or trade journals.