ALL You Need To Know About Plastic Pallets And How To Choose The Right One

A pallet is basically a structure used in the shipping industry for the transportation of goods. The pallets can be made of two materials, such as plastic or wood. When it comes to buying plastic pallets, it is imperative to know about them before making any decision. Therefore, here is an ultimate guide to giving you an insight into plastic pallets and its types. Since pallets are in demand these days they are available in different varieties.

Types of plastic pallets

There are many types of plastic pallets that are available in various designs, shapes, and sizes. Depending on the application, the type of plastic pallet you may choose. Therefore, before buying one has to define the exact type of pallet required for their industry. Here is a classification of different types of plastic pallets based on different criteria:

Based on Application

One can select from a variety of pallets like drum plastic pallets, export plastic pallets, display plastic pallets, spill control plastic pallets, hygienic plastic pallets, RFID plastic pallets, anti-static plastic pallets, shipping plastic pallets, transport plastic pallets, etc.

Based on Design

The pallets are also classified based on their designs, such as:

1. Stackable plastic pallets.

2. Rackable plastic pallets.

3. Nestabl plastic pallets.

4. Double side plastic pallets.

5. Nine legs plastic pallets.

6. Picture frame plastic pallets and

7. Three runner plastic pallets.

Based on the Type of Material

The most common plastic materials that are used to manufacture such pallets are:

1. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and

2.  Polypropylene (PP)

Depending on the Manufacturing Process

The types of plastic pallets also vary depending on the manufacturing process. They are injection molded, thermoformed, or blow molded plastic pallet.

Key features of plastic pallets:

1. Versatile design options available due to flexible molding techniques.

2. Plastic pallets are recyclable.

3. Strong and durable.

4. Weather and chemical resistant

5. Dimensionally stable.

6. Lightweight – weight is about 50% to 70% less than that of wood.

7. Impervious to weak acids, alkalis and moisture.

8. No splinters or nails.

How to choose the right plastic pallet for your business?

1. Pallet Weight Capacities: Every plastic pallet comes with a maximum loading weight. While static load defines the maximum weight a pallet can hold when placed on solid ground, dynamic loads convey the maximum weight a pallet can hold when moving on a forklift truck. Racking load on the other hand is the maximum weight a pallet can carry all together when placed into pallet racking.

2. Open or Closed Top Deck: Closed top decks have a smooth surface which is desirable for hygienic transport. They are also easy to clean. Open top decks make manual handling easy.

3. Pallet Style : They come in three styles, such as:

4. Export Pallets: These are lightweight, cost-effective, and are better for one-way trips.

5. Three-Runner Stackable Pallets: These are suitable for forklift use, and come with heavy load capacity.

6. Full-Perimeter Stackable Pallets: These are rackable, last for long and come with heavy load capacity.

7. Anti-Slip Surfaces: Anti- Slip surfaces help reduce product movement. Some products have anti-slip pad, while others have anti-slip strips.

8. Temperature of Pallet Location: Some pallets are used in extreme temperatures. Extreme heat or cold can affect the pallet. It also hampers the performance of the transportation process. It can also disturb the racking performance.

9. ESD and Conductive Products: Some pallets come with electrostatic discharge properties and are mainly used in areas that deal with explosives or flammable materials.

Conclusion

With multiple varieties and features available in pallets it is very essential to select the right one. A proper research is essential to choose the right type for your requirements.