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Plastic pallets have outdone wood pallets in almost every industry. In fact, many retailers are now urging manufacturers to switch to plastic pallets. The next evolution, the plastic pallet has not only increased the supply chain’s sustainability but has also lowered the cost of the business operations significantly.
Types of plastic pallets
If you are new to plastic pallets, you’d be confused to even know the types and kinds you’d need for your supply chain operations.
Here are some popular types of plastic pallets in unit-load level shipping platforms:
· Australian pallets
· Beverage pallets
· GMA pallets
· Euro pallets
· Asian pallets
· Dairy pallets
· International 1067 pallets
· Half pallets
· 1200*1000 or euro two pallets
· Custom pallets
· Automotive pallets
· Three-runner pallets
· Six-runner pallets
· Nine-legged pallets
· Drum pallets
· Double-sided pallets
Each pallet has its own specific weaknesses, specifications, cons, and pros. It all depends on how it is used in the industry. Some plastic pallets have weaknesses that don’t make them suitable for use outside a region or industry.
Choosing the wrong type of plastic pallet for your supply chain and business drives might affect your efficiency of work. The purpose of using plastic pallets is to reduce the total cost of business operations while and make the supply chain sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Plastic shipping pallets are trending these days for their light and sleek design. Moreover, they can be reused for a long time without breakage and easily works with pallet wrapping machines.
The plastic used to make pallets
The type of plastic used for pallets affects how it can be used, reused, or recycled for economic business operations. It is best to go over the types of plastic so that you only select the premium quality pallets that you will be using over and over again.
A synthetic polymer is used to make plastic pallets. A synthetic polymer is formed by repeating plastic strings of smaller molecules that are bonded together to hold large molecular strands together.
Synthetic polymer falls into two broad types of plastic:
Thermoplastics
The type of plastic which becomes soft upon heating is known as thermoplastic. Thermoplastic can be recycled numerous times because it has the quality of solidifying and melting. Even if the thermoplastic pallet receives severe damage due to heat or other environmental factors, it won’t end up in a trash can.
Thermoplastic pallets are recycled into new pallets before they end up in landfills.
Thermosets
Unlike thermoplastic, thermoset pallets can be melted once and solidify permanently. That being said, they can’t be reheated or molded into other shapes.
One advantage of using thermoset plastic is that it has a high ignition point. Thus, making it less of a fire hazard. One disadvantage is that it can’t be reheated, melted, or recycled again.
Thermoplastic is preferred over thermoset because they help companies create sustainable products or a closed sustainable loop of reusable products. Its ease of reusability is what makes it stand out among other types of plastic.
Some types of thermoplastics used for making pallets are:
· Polyethylene
· Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
· Polyvinyl chloride
What are the different sizes of plastic pallets?
Plastic pallets come in a variety of sizes but some of them have limitations when it comes to the location of usage. That being said, moving plastic pallets from one country to another is not simple, especially if the temperatures and the environment are not suitable for the pallets.
For example, some pallets don’t fit in the transport containers. Hence, they sustain damage and become unsuitable for supply chain operations.
The International Organization for Standards has given international specifications which are adopted worldwide. Here are some of the measurements for different kinds of plastic pallets:
GMA pallet
The pallet standards for the GMA pallet were settled on 48 by 40 inches. However, this standard was limited to the grocery industry only. The GMA pallets were quite popular and are now commonly used in the industries of North America.
ASP
ASP or Australian standard pallet came into existence after the second world war. The size of ASP is slightly smaller than the GMA pallet, 1165 by 1165 millimeters. The small size allows the handling of the pallet easier.
Asian pallet
The Asian pallet has originated from Korea and Japan. They are sized at 1100 by 1100 millimeters.
Euro pallet
The euro pallet was created in 1968 and was sized at 800 by 1200 millimeters. The smaller size of the euro pallet allowed transportation through standard doors.
What types of plastic pallets are used in the industry?
Plastic pallets used in the industry must comply with international standards. As of now, the two common types of plastic pallets are:
Beverage pallets
Beverage pallets are typically smaller than GMA pallets. They can be easily used in beverage industries, corner shops, and convenience stores. They are mainly used to transport empty bottles.
Dairy pallets
The 13 by 13-inch dairy pallet can hold a total of 4 milk bottles.
Automotive pallets
Automotive pallets are used to ship smaller automotive parts such as plastic totes.
Forms of plastic pallets
Each pallet type has a different size and shape. The structure of the pallet determines how it is going to be used in the industry.
The common forms of plastic pallets are:
· Nine-legged pallet
· Three-runner pallet
· Reversible pallet
· Six-runner pallet
· Drum pallet
Choose the right type of plastic pallet for your company
Selecting the right type of plastic pallet for your supply chain increases the efficacy of handling and storing operations. As of now, the GMA pallet is preferred all over the world because it complies with European and American standards. Moreover, it does the work without wasting any space. But ultimately, it all comes down to your storage and handling needs in the business.
