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All About Pallets
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Information On Pallets
Completing this section will help you to determine the type of pallet and design that will suit your operation best
Step 1 - Identifying Type Of Pallet Suits Your Operation Best
Material: Mixed Hardwood​
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Advantages: Most cost competitive, easy to customize, durable & strong​. Able to repair if damage
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Disadvantages: Pest & fungus prone. Requires Heat Treatment to kill pest
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Industry Suitability: Suitable for all industry
Material: Pinewood
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Advantages: Cosmetically nice & minimum cracks. Able to repair if damage
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Disadvantages: Low density material which not as strong as Hardwood & more costly than Hardwood pallet
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Industry Suitability: Suitable for all industry. Used especially for Cold Room storage due its low density properties
Material: Plywood
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Advantages: Pest free & easy to customize.
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Disadvantages: Durability reduce when contact with water & more costly than Hardwood & Pinewood pallet
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Industry Suitability: Suitable for all industry. Most suitable for machinery that needed to be bolted to the pallet
Material: Compressed Wood
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Advantages: Nestable design allows less storage space.
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Disadvantages: Pest free & some items not suitable to be place on pallet due to base design. Durability reduce when contact with water & unable to repair.
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Industry Suitability: Suitable for all industry. Most suitable for export use.
Material: Plastic
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Advantages: Pest & fungus free.
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Disadvantages: Unable to repair when damage & most costly. Export type Plastic Pallet damage very easily
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Industry Suitability: F&B Industry & Chemical Industry
Material: Paper
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Advantages: Very light weight which beneficial for air freight & pest free
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Disadvantages: Easily damage especially when contact with water. Unable to repair
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Industry Suitability: Suitable for all industry for doing air freight
Step 2 - Determine Pallet Sizes & Design Most Suited To Your Operation
1.1 Standard Sizes
Pallet sizes still vary considerably between countries although much progress has been made in terms of standardization and reusability. This was crucial as increased global trade necessitated the need for standard pallet dimensions.
1.2 ISO Pallet Sizes
Six pallets has been approved by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) which are now widely used around the globe.
This information is a good starting point when considering exporting your goods to a different country and don’t want to incur the extra expenses and time delays of transferring your goods to local pallets upon arrival. It also enables you to calculate just how many pallet you can fit into a container for shipping.
Dimension (mm / ") | Region Or Industries Most Used |
|---|---|
1200mm x 800mm / 47.24" x 31.50" | Europe Fits Many Doorways |
1100mm x 1100mm / 43.3" x 43.3" | Asia |
1165mm x 1165mm / 45.9" x 45.9" | Australia |
1200mm x 1000mm / 47.24" x 39.37" | Europe & Asia |
1067mm x 1067mm / 42" x 42") | North America, Europe & Asia. Mostly For Telecommunications & Paint Industries |
1016mm x 1219mm / 40" x 48" | North America. Grocery & Many Others Industries |
1.3 European Pallet Sizes
In Europe, many different pallets have emerged over the years as each country developed its own material handling needs.
In recent times, standardization has occurred to a certain extent and we now have a widely used standard European pallets known as the EUR Pallet, Europallet or “EPAL” Pallet. Its dimensions are 1200mm x 800mm (31.50” x 47.24”) and is one of the six approved ISO Pallet sizes.
Dimension (mm / ") | EURO Type |
|---|---|
800mm x 600mm / 31.5" x 23.62" | EUR 6 |
1200mm x 1000mm / 47.24" x 39.37" | EUR 2 |
1200mm x 800mm / 47.24" x 31.50" | EUR, EUR 1 |
1.4 Chemical Pallet Sizes
The chemical pallet (CP) was created by the APME, Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe, for use by the European chemical industry. There are 9 CP pallet designs. The most common CPs we are as follows, listed in order of most common to least common: CP-3, CP-1, CP-2, CP-6, CP-9, and CP-8. Chemical companies usually move their products in four primary types of packaging: drums -- both steel and other, supersacks, boxes, and bags. The pallet they choose is usually a function of the type of initial packaging they use, i.e. a "drum pallet" is usually between 44" x 44" and 48" x 48" and fully reversible because four drums will nicely fit on that footprint. CP pallets also generally correspond to a certain type of packaging and a certain type of handling such as racked vs. floor stacked, and single stacked vs. multiple loaded units stacked atop each other. Below are some generalities about each of the CP sizes.
CP-3 and CP-9: Primarily used for drums and supersacks. CP-3 is the lighter-duty, non-perimeter bottom good for floor stacking, one or two units high. CP-9 is the heavier-duty, perimeter bottom good for floor stacking multiple loaded units high and for racking. The perimeter bottom prevents damage to the lower units by more evenly distributing the load.
CP-1 and CP-6: These pallets are primarily used with sacks and boxes. As with the CP-3 and the CP-9, the primary difference is the perimeter bottom. The CP-1 is used with lighter loads. The CP-6 is more appropriate for floor stacking multiple loaded units and for racking. The perimeter bottom prevents damage to the lower units by more evenly distributing the load.
CP-8: This pallet is used solely for supersacks. It is dedicated to particular material handling equipment that allows a supersack to be placed on the pallet upside down, with the nozzle extended from which the material from the supersack can be poured.
CP-2: This pallet type was designed to be a EUR Pallet replacement. This pallet is sometimes used in North America in place of a EUR pallet.
Dimension (mm / ") | Chemical Pallet Type |
|---|---|
1140mm x 1140mm | CP9 |
1140mm x 1140mm | CP8 |
1300mm x 1100mm | CP7 |
1200mm x 1000mm | CP6 |
1140mm x 760mm | CP5 |
1300mm x 1100mm | CP4 |
1140mm x 1140mm | CP3 |
1200mm x 800mm | CP2 |
1200mm x 1000mm | CP1 |
1.5 Design Your Own Pallet Sizes
Though industry there are standard pallets sizes, ultimately each should design the pallet size that will suit you best by the items placed on the pallet, to optimize packing quantity and optimize pallet space in the container for export.
1.6 No. Of Pallets In Container
Container & Pallet Size | Quantity (Per Level) |
|---|---|
40ft With 1200mm x 800mm | 23-24 Pallets |
40ft With 1200mm x 1000mm | 20-21 Pallets |
20ft With 1200mm x 800mm | 11 Pallets |
20ft With 1200mm x1000mm Pallet | 9-10 Pallets |
2.1 Pallet Design Types
2.1 2-Way, 4-Way, Partial 4-Way Entry Pallet Design
Runner Type - Runner type pallet utilize rectangular runners that run the full length of the pallet. The top plank is fastened to the top edge of the runners. For double-face pallets, the bottom plank is fastened to the bottom edge of the runners. Runner pallets without notches are defined as 2-way pallet entry while runner pallets with notches are defined as partial 4-way pallet entry.
Block Type - Block Type pallet utilize rectangular blocks which separates the top plank from the bottom plank (if double-face). Block Type Pallets have top stringer, which run the full length of the pallet and are fastened to the blocks. Block pallets are defined as 4-way pallet entry.
Block pallets may also have full perimeter bottom. Bottom planks are oriented in both direction but in the same place. This design serves to enable safer double stacking of pallets.
2.2 Nestable Pallets
Nestable pallets 'nest' into one another. Their unique design enables them to fit inside each other, meaning they stack together more easily when empty and occupy less space. The two pallet material type that has nestable design is Compressed Wood & Plastic.
