Wood has been used to make pallets for decades and there are still millions of wood pallets still being used in warehouses and in the supply chain worldwide. Yet if you have ever worked with wood pallets, you know their drawbacks: They are heavy, can splinter and often expose dangerous sharp nails when their boards become loose, among other problems. If you currently are using wood pallets for your materials handling needs, you might want to consider switching to pallets made from 100% recycled post-industrial recycled foam. They offer a number of advantages, including being moisture-proof, lightweight and nest-able to save space.
A Safer, More Affordable Solution
Heavy-duty structural foam pallets, on the other hand, offer a safer and more durable alternative to your pallet needs. Their polystyrene foam core is coated with a high-impact polystyrene skin that can’t absorb water. They are food safe and universally approved to transport food products. Wood pallets, on the other hand, can pose serious bio-hazard risks because they are susceptible to bacterial and chemical contamination, including E. coli and other food borne illnesses.
Being moisture-proof also makes them not only longer-lasting, but insect-proof, odor resistant, completely washable and appropriate for indoor and outdoor use regardless of the climate conditions.
Reduce Loss Due to Damage
Foam pallets also can absorb more shock than a wood pallet. Dropped from a height, a wood pallet will crack, splinter or even shatter. But foam pallets are extremely shock absorbing, which means that the products they are carrying can be moved and delivered with less loss and damage.
They are also much more lightweight than wood, which is especially important if your freight costs are based on weight as well as volume. This makes them especially ideal for air freight. Generally, foam pallets weigh about 25% of what wood pallets weigh, although their final weight varies according to their strength capacity, the density of the foam and the thickness of their outer coating.
Safety Benefits of Foam Pallets
Safer than wood pallets, foam and plastic pallets will never splinter, don’t have nails sticking out of them, and won’t rust or rot. In fact, they are essentially weather-proof. They are designed to withstand temperatures ranging from extreme heat to extreme cold, so they offer a versatility for use in multiple environments, from hot cargo holds to deep freezers. They also are fire resistant.
Foam pallets have a longer lifespan than wood pallets and also are more environmentally friendly. Post-industrial foam pallets are made from recycled materials, compared to wood pallets which can only be made from living trees. Plus, at the end of their useful life, foam pallets can be recycled again into new foam pallets, whereas wood pallets are often difficult to dispose of once they break.
Bahrns offers a complete selection of foam pallets and pallet accessories for all of your warehouse and supply chain transport needs. We can provide the comprehensive palletization solutions you’ve been looking for so your business can reduce costs, increase productivity and enjoy higher profits.