Quality Pallet

Wood Quality in New and Recycled Pallets

Wooden pallets play a critical role in global logistics. The proper selection and treatment of wood determine the efficiency, strength, and durability of pallets across various industrial applications.

Wood Quality for Pallets

The quality of wood used for pallets depends on factors such as mechanical strength, natural durability, applied treatment, density, and moisture content. The correct choice of wood type and its processing directly influence the pallet’s load capacity, impact resistance, and lifespan.

Softwoods

Softwoods are the most commonly used for pallet manufacturing due to their low cost, lightweight, and ease of processing. These woods mainly come from fast-growing trees such as pine, fir, and spruce, allowing for sustainable use with shorter harvesting and reforestation cycles.

Characteristics of Softwoods:
– Density: Generally low (300 – 500 kg/m³), facilitating handling and transport.
– Strength: Suitable for standard applications but lower than hardwoods.
– Durability: Without treatment, their lifespan is limited when exposed to weather or humid environments.
– Treatment: Essential to apply processes like kiln drying and heat treatment (HT) to meet international standards and enhance resistance.
– Applications: Standard pallets for export, storage, internal logistics, and industrial packaging.

Hardwoods

Hardwoods are used when greater strength and durability are required. They come from slower-growing trees such as oak, eucalyptus, beech, and other tropical species.

Characteristics of Hardwoods:
– Density: High (600 – 1200 kg/m³), providing greater mechanical strength.
– Strength: Superior to softwoods, with better performance under heavy loads and extreme conditions.
– Durability: Longer lifespan and higher resistance to impact, wear, and insect attacks.
– Treatment: Although naturally more durable, hardwoods can still benefit from kiln drying and chemical treatments.
– Applications: Pallets for heavy loads, adverse conditions, high-value product exports, and specialized industrial operations.

Wood Quality Parameters for Pallets
– Density: Higher density results in greater strength and durability. Hardwoods generally offer better structural characteristics.
– Moisture Content: Ideally between 8% and 15% to avoid deformations and the risk of rotting. Wet wood is prone to fungi and rapid deterioration.
– Absence of Critical Defects: Structural defects such as cracks, rotten knots, deformations, and warping compromise the integrity of the pallet.
– Treatment: Compliance with international regulations such as ISPM-15 ensures the wood is pest-free and suitable for export.

New vs. Recycled Pallets

New Pallets
New pallets, made from freshly cut wood selected under strict quality standards, offer superior structural strength. Being free of previous damage such as cracks, splits, or warping, they guarantee a prolonged lifespan and reliable performance in demanding logistics operations. Additionally, they allow for complete customization in dimensions, treatments, and design specifications, adapting precisely to each client’s technical requirements.

They strictly comply with international regulations like ISPM-15, facilitating export and reducing the risk of phytosanitary inspection rejections. Their clean appearance and hygienic condition make them especially suitable for sensitive sectors such as the food, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries, where quality and presentation standards are critical.

Recycled Pallets
Recycled pallets represent an economical and environmentally responsible option, as they extend the useful life of the material used, thus reducing environmental impact. These pallets are previously used, then inspected and repaired by replacing defective or damaged parts.

However, they have certain limitations compared to new pallets. While their structural strength remains adequate for many logistics applications, they often show signs of wear such as small cracks, splinters, visible repairs, or slight dimensional variations. Therefore, they are generally recommended for less demanding uses such as internal transport, temporary storage, or local distribution, where structural and aesthetic demands are lower.

Recycled Pallet Grades
– Grade A: Recycled pallets in excellent condition, almost comparable to new ones. They show minimal wear with no significant structural damage. Suitable for multiple logistics uses, including some exports.
– Grade B: Pallets with evident signs of use, such as splinters or minor repairs. They retain good strength, ideal for internal transport and storage.
– Grade C: Pallets in fair condition, with visible wear and multiple repairs. Mainly suitable for minor internal uses and light storage.

Technical Standards and Treatments

ISPM-15 and Certifications
The ISPM-15 standard regulates wood treatment used in packaging to prevent pest spread. Approved methods include:
– Heat Treatment (HT): Exposing the wood to minimum temperatures of 56°C for 30 minutes to eliminate pests.
– Methyl Bromide Fumigation (MB): Limited use due to its environmental impact, applicable in special cases.
– Additional Certifications: FSC and PEFC, ensuring responsible and sustainable forest management.

Pallet Manufacturing Methods
Pacific Forest uses modern machinery to guarantee precision and consistency in its products. The main steps include:
– Wood Cutting: Sawing boards and blocks to specific dimensions.
– Kiln Drying: Reducing moisture to the optimal level for dimensional stability and fungal prevention.
– Heat Treatment: Applying heat treatment in accordance with ISPM-15 for export compliance.
– Assembly: Using high-resistance nails or screws to ensure structural stability.
– Quality Testing: Visual inspection and mechanical testing to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Technical Quality Evaluation

Mechanical Strength
The pallet’s ability to withstand loads without permanent deformation depends on the wood’s quality and the absence of significant defects. An optimal pallet must pass both dynamic and static load tests, ensuring safe and efficient performance throughout its lifespan.

Moisture Content
Ideal moisture content is between 8%-15%, preventing deformations and rotting risks while improving dimensional stability and avoiding significant variations during storage and transport.

Structural Defects
It is critical to avoid major defects such as deep cracks, rotten knots, excessive deformations, and the presence of residual bark, which could compromise pallet safety and stability during logistics operations.

Applications According to Quality
– High Quality (New Pallets): Preferred for international export, sensitive sectors like food and pharmaceuticals, fragile cargo, and automated logistics operations requiring high dimensional precision and strength.
– Medium Quality (Recycled Grade A/B): Suitable for internal transport, general storage, and local product distribution with lower structural demands.
– Low Quality (Recycled Grade C): Intended mainly for minor internal applications, light temporary storage, or secondary recycling.

The strategic choice of pallet type and quality directly affects logistics efficiency and operational safety. Pacific Forest provides high-quality pallets, whether new or recycled, strictly compliant with international standards, ensuring strength, sustainability, and performance tailored to each client’s needs.