Plastic pallets have significant advantages over traditional wood pallets, including much greater durability and longevity, lower trip and lifetime costs, and easier and safer handling. Their relatively light weight reduces transport costs and emissions. However, despite the clear benefits, plastic pallets should be chosen with care. Overcomplicated features and non-standard sizes, though initially appealing, may well be unnecessary and may not align with circular economy principles.
Today’s supply chains are typically intricate, time sensitive and rely on linked processes and seamless transitions to smoothly move goods from one end to the other. Amid all this complexity is the seemingly simple, straightforward pallet. Regionally, nationally, and internationally, in logistics and intralogistics, the pallet reigns supreme, its size and load bearing capacity determining what it can carry and how it fits in different storage areas and conveyor systems.
“For the many advantages of plastic pallets, it’s important to choose the right type,” says Gero Liotti, Head of Materials Handling Sales at Craemer UK. “It’s all too easy to select non-standard dimensions and unnecessary, overcomplicated features. These might be initially appealing and meet individual and isolated needs, but it’s better to think standardisation and industry conformity first, and only add extras if required. You may want your own in-house pallets, or you may prefer to hire, including via the ‘poolers’ which saves you from buying, organising and storing pallets. But when and where possible, interoperability and sustainability are key – definitely broad, big picture first.”
Craemer plastic pallets
In 1967, Craemer revolutionised the market with the world’s first one-piece injection-moulded plastic pallet. To this day, most Craemer plastic pallets are manufactured in one piece using injection moulds produced by its own tool-making unit. They are robust and durable, and free of the nails, splinters and breakages associated with wooden pallets. With their sturdy construction, consistent dimensions and uniform density, they move smoothly through systems such as Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems. If they do need cleaning, they are easily washed and sterilised. Craemer plastic pallets are for applications ranging from hygienic to heavy duty and come in standard sizes from half, Euro to industrial formats. They can however be customised to meet particular requirements.
Durable and recyclable
Lasting for many trips and years and being 100% recyclable, Craemer plastic pallets are a good example of Returnable Transport Packaging (RTP), which is environmentally friendlier than single-use packaging. Their high quality and exceptional long service life makes load carriers from Craemer the preferred choice for many poolers.
“Craemer’s commitment to quality and durability underscores the pivotal role of plastic pallets in shaping a more sustainable future,” says Gero Liotti. “Selecting the appropriate pallet for your supply chain is crucial. It not only allows you to assert your commitment to sustainable RTP and contribute to a circular economy but also serves as the cornerstone for enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.”