How to choose the most suitable pallet for your storage, logistics and transport needs?

A pallet is a product designed to standardise the handling, storage and transport of goods. Made of wood, plastic or cardboard, it groups several packages on a single support. In this way, it not only optimises warehouse space, but also protects the goods during shipment.

Before choosing the type of pallet, several criteria must be taken into account. In fact, your choice will change according to your shipping method, the nature and weight of the goods, etc.

To help you choose the most suitable one, here is a list of tips and information that you may find useful:

Choose the right pallet material

The wooden pallet

Wooden pallets are best suited for heavy or medium-heavy loads.

It is versatile, solid and resistant. It can carry up to 2700 kg static load and 900 kg dynamic load.

Among wooden pallets, those in pressed wood play a leading role in the palletising world:

• are economical: thanks to competitive prices and the cost reductions they allow in storage, transport and export;
• they are space-saving, thanks to their stackability and interlocking characteristics (66% of space saved compared to traditional pallets);
• they are lightweight, twice as light as traditional pallets;
• they are insulating, insensitive to humidity and temperature variations;
• they are exportable, requiring no additional certification as the special conformation of the material prevents bacterial transmission;
• they are ecological, in line with our eco-sustainability policy (100% biodegradability and PEFC certification);

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The plastic pallet

Plastic pallets are widely used in logistics centres and warehouses. They have the advantage of being cheap, light and manageable (no nails, splinters or sharp corners). They are perfect for export because they do not require any pesticide treatment.

The cardboard pallet

Designed to meet the needs of the entire logistics chain, the cardboard pallet also has many advantages:

• aseasily recyclable as a cardboard box
• strong: can support up to 700 kg dynamic load
• light and manageable reduces transport costs
• safe: no splinters or nails

Practical because it is recyclable and biodegradable, the cardboard pallet is perfect for internal use, but also for export since, like the plastic one, it does not require any special pest control.

This pallet can also be used as an interlayer, meeting storage needs in confined spaces.

Choose your pallet by weight

Depending on the shipping method and the goods to be transported, pallets can withstand different loads:

• Forlight loads it is perfect for exclusive transport;
• Formedium-heavy loads it can withstand multiple transports;
• Forheavy loads it meets a variety of needs (logistics centres, warehouses, handling and transport).

You also have to think about the use you will make of them:

• Static load: storage on the ground without moving or handling ;
• Dynamic load: check the maximum load of your pallet and whether it must be handled with a pallet truck;
• Rack loading: for pallets stored high on racks.

Choose the right size pallet

Pallets are available in several standard formats, but can also be custom-made for specific products. To ensure maximum stability, the boxes must neither protrude beyond the pallet nor retract too far from the edges.

Why palletise?

A very important step in your logistics flow, palletising offers many advantages:

• Protection of your goods: once palletised, your packages are more stable and are protected from external weather conditions thanks to stretch film.
• Optimise truck/container filling: a smaller volume of goods equals lower transport costs. The pallet allows loads of up to 1,200 kg to be safely transported.
• Optimises storage space: whether for permanent or temporary storage, the pallet allows for reduced storage space. One pallet can store loads of up to 2700 kg.

Palletising allows you to optimise your logistical flow!
Maximum product protection, reduced transport costs and optimised storage are added value compared to scattered parcels, rejected at customs or arriving at their destination in poor condition.

At a glance:

• To choose the right pallet, you must first consider the nature of the goods and the weight to be transported.
• You must also think about the mode of shipment: does the pallet have to make one or more trips? Are you looking for a disposable or reusable pallet?

Palletisation allows a better organisation of the logistical flow, ensuring protection and optimisation of storage and transport volume.