RM2 International, a pallet manufacturer with offices in Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, and Chatham, New Jersey in the United States, is offering a composite pallet that is stronger than customary polymer and wooden pallets.
Called BLOCKPal™, the pallet is formed using a unique manufacturing process that includes a two-component polyurethane resin developed by Bayer Material/Science. A Multi-trip heavy duty pallet, it features an open top deck configuration for easy cleaning and its low profile runners and wide fork openings makes for easy pallet access for a wide variety of material handling equipment.
Due to its material and its non-porous surface, it will not splinter, warp or absorb moisture and it meets UL2335 standards for fire retardant as well as ISO 8611 standards. The manufacturing process makes the BLOCKPal pallet 20 times more durable than wood pallets and pound for pound stronger than steel and it is resistant to bacteria, chemicals, and pests.
Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design tested the BLOCKPal pallet and discovered that it lasts up to 100 trips. The fact that it is repairable adds another 50 trips to its life.
Moreover, its manufacturing carbon footprint is equivalent to saving 70,000 gallons of gasoline annually. An LCA Study discovered that the BLOCKPal pallet reduces global warning potential by 21 percent, reduces primary energy demand by 50 percent, reduces acidification potential by 31 percent and reduces eutrophication potential by 44 percent when compared to the carbon footprint of standard wooden pallets.
The pallet features a bigger opening for the forklift and is available in standard sizes including 1200 x 1000 mm, 1200 x 800 mm, 1165 x 1165 mm, and 48-inches x 40-inches footprints.
It is manufactured to withstand maximum weight and wide ranging temperatures. The edge strength exceeds industry standards with a racking load measured at 6,500 pounds, a static load of 60,000 pounds, and dynamic at 9,800 pounds. It can withstand temperatures between -40° and 176°F.
Already constructed to have a high coefficient of friction, the pallets have recently been improved with a new gel coat finish. It makes the pallet look slippery, but offers added assurance that it will keep loads secure and will not slip off forklift tines.