Perhaps you and your company have challenges with hygiene due to old-fashioned wooden pallets?
More and more companies today are facing serious hygiene problems
because hygiene requirements have increased and wooden pallets are still being used extensively.
It is time for wooden pallets to be phased out with pallets made of either plastic or aluminum,
as these are far cleaner than the more modern pallet types.
Hygienic plastic pallets first hit the market about 25 years ago. Since then
these pallets have been refined to better serve food processing facilities.
The pallet functions have improved today so they are much more practical, safe, and hygienic.
Hygienic plastic pallets were first used in the pharmaceutical industry as there was great demand for pallets
that could handle pharmaceutical products with the greatest care, safety, and hygiene.
This trend then spread to the food and beverage industry
as awareness of food safety began to grow.
Since then hygienic pallets have become an extremely important element in the supply chain
for food and beverage companies that want to win and maintain public trust.
Their properties make them reliable and trustworthy. Plastic pallets are easy to disinfect
as the non-porous platforms are designed to support sanitary conditions and keep equipment clean.
The design of the plastic pallet has a cavity-free body, which means there are only very few areas
where contaminating and/or unhygienic substances can collect.
The open design of the plastic pallet provides ventilation in the pallet so the pallet is easier to clean and dries quickly.
Finally we must not forget that hygienic plastic pallets do not rust
as they have neither nails nor staples, furthermore you do not lose any boards
since the pallet is made of plastic and fortunately it absorbs neither moisture nor odor.
Many of these features are non-existent or difficult to find in plastic pallet alternatives
such as wood or metal pallets. Although wooden pallets are still widely used today
many companies have started switching to plastic.
Many companies today have started using pallet changers
that can replace the wooden pallets with the preferred pallet, you can read more here.
Wooden pallets may be strong and affordable but they definitely have their limitations.
If your pallets need to carry more than 1500 kg, or if long-term durability is a high priority
for your company, metal pallets are a much better choice in the long run.
Companies that require their products and thus pallets to be stored outdoors
often choose metal pallets over other alternatives because metal can withstand natural environments such as rain and UV rays
much better than e.g. wood which would rot under such conditions.
Metal pallets work well in both heat and cold. First of all metal pallets do not burn
and furthermore metal also has the best performance in extremely cold environments
whereas both plastic and wood can crack in cold weather.
Metal pallets are most often found in two types: steel and aluminum. The choice between the two depends on whether cost
or weight is a greater concern for your company. Aluminum pallets have a higher price
but tend to be the preferred option when a light
yet strong pallet is needed for delivery by air.
As mentioned above the costs of the pallets of course affect the final costs.
So when fast delivery requires air freight, aluminum pallets are typically preferred
as you save money there due to weight. Aluminum is also effective regarding moisture as it does not rust like steel pallets do.
Shipments that require strength and durability without regard to air freight costs
and/or constant moisture, it is clearly best to choose steel pallets.
If you would like to replace your wooden pallets with plastic pallets or aluminum pallets
why not consider getting a pallet turner?
With a pallet turner you can easily replace the wooden pallet with plastic or aluminum.
If you would like to swap your pallets around
you can read more about how to get a pallet changer by going to products