SEVEN MYTHS ABOUT PALLETS

All pallets are the same

Many think that all pallets are the same. This is not true. There are many types of pallets with a different number of planks in their design and different parameters, such as dimensions and load-bearing capacity. All these parameters are extremely important for manufacturers that use pallets for transportation and storage of their products.  

The pallet is a primitive type of packaging

What can be complex about it? Just put together a few planks and that’s it! This is not the case. Firstly, quality pallets must comply with specific standards. The standard adopted in Europe is EPAL or Euro pallet. Secondly, pallets can be a complex and high-tech packaging solution. For example, KRONUS makes pallets of any complexity and offers different designs depending on its customers’ needs. Thus, the company has developed a solution with an integrated RFID chip.

Pallets are made of waste wood

Wooden pallets made of waste wood? Certainly not! Although at the end of their lifecycle pallets can be reduced a heap of dust, their creation begins from wood selection. Any materials used for making pallets can be used in furniture making, construction, etc. That is, most pallets begin with high-quality wood.

Pallets are made from cheap wood

As we mentioned above, pallets are made of high-quality timber. Many types of wood are used to make pallets, but the most popular are pine and oak. However, the choice of timber also depends on other factors, such as availability, cost of materials, production location, etc.

Wooden pallets are not safe

This is nothing but a myth! Standards adopted worldwide, including in Europe, require thermal treatment of timber used for pallets, which makes them perfectly safe for handling.

Pallets are a standardised type of packaging  

There is no single global standard for pallets. There are several standards around the world with the EU and North American being the most popular ones.

Plastic pallets are better than wooden ones

This is definitely not true. We will point out only two things: reparability and environmental impact. Unlike plastic pallets, wooden ones can be repaired which increases their lifecycle and, consequently, cuts costs. Secondly, wooden packaging is environmentally-friendly and, unlike plastic, can be recycled without harming the environment. Today, recycling is not only a way to dispose of unnecessary packaging, but also an expense item, which can be significantly reduced.