8 Uses For Plastic Pallets
02 May 2018
When it comes to versatility, plastic pallets uses are amazingly diverse. Let’s take a look at the range of applications they can be found in at every point in the supply chain.
1. Display
Pallets are increasingly being used to display food because transferring the plastic pallet straight to the supermarket floor reduces the amount of manual handling of the food products. This cuts the opportunities for contamination and preserves the integrity of the packaging. In addition, goods can be stacked on the pallet in exactly the way the manufacturer wants to display them in a store, or the pallets can be used as an integral part of a promotional display. Ideal for fresh food, plastic pallets get fresh produce to the consumer in ideal condition.
2. Exports
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic pallets are ideal if you will be getting your pallets back. More expensive initially, they can be reused hundreds of times. Repeated plastic pallets uses will mean higher sustainability. Environmental benefits are also increased by the use of recycled plastic pallets.
3. Moving Goods by Air
Air freight costs can be cut considerably through the use of lightweight plastic pallets. Even lightweight pallets are extremely strong.
4. For Moving Pharmaceutical Products
HDPE and some other plastics are chemically inert. This means they don’t change their properties or degrade even over long time periods. Specialist pallets will meet all relevant hygiene and sanitary requirements and won’t contaminate the pharmaceuticals being transported.
5. As a Key Part of the Food Chain
Easy to clean and keep sterile, plastic pallets are the ideal choice for moving foods and beverages. The plastic resists mould, bacteria and other harmful pathogens.
6. For Safe Storage of Chemical Products
Chemicals can corrode both racks and shipping containers, but the right kind of plastic pallet can manage this risk with a special design which controls spills and leaks. These pallets are made from chemically resistant plastics, often virgin HDPE, and have a deck that drains into pockets in the corners of the pallet.
Drums of fuel, ingredients or chemicals can be very difficult to ship because they are so liable to tip over. It’s no surprise then that there are plastic pallets use to solve this problem. These pallets are designed with circular indentations to hold the drums steady and prevent them tipping.
7. Transporting Electronics
Electronics can be damaged by static and, yet again, there’s a pallet for this specific job. Anti-static additives are added to the pallet during manufacture, and these act to prevent static building up and damaging the electronic products that are in transit. These pallets will also resist water, fats, acids or solvents, ensuring that the goods are delivered in perfect condition. And unlike wooden pallets, there are no nails or screws to scratch the products.
8. Add a Logo for a Retail-Friendly Pallet
Pallets can be customised for retail operations by the selection of corporate colours and the addition of branding such as a store’s logo. With pallets that stack or nest, the store can actually benefit from a dynamic storage option.
As new industries grow up and both national and international trade grow, plastic pallets uses will grow too. They’re an amazingly versatile way of moving products and produce safely and hygienically.