In the warehousing and logistics industry, pallets serve as the fundamental tools for storing, handling, and transporting goods, directly affecting the efficiency and cost of the supply chain. Plastic pallets, with their unique performance advantages, are gradually replacing traditional wooden pallets and becoming an indispensable "invisible hero" in modern warehouse management.
1、 The rise of plastic pallets: from substitutes to industry standards
In the past, wooden pallets dominated the market due to their low price and simple processing, but their disadvantages such as susceptibility to moisture, mold, and short service life have gradually been exposed. With the increasing demand for efficiency, hygiene, and environmental protection in the global supply chain, plastic pallets are beginning to emerge.
According to industry data, the global plastic tray market size has exceeded 10 billion US dollars in 2022, with an annual growth rate of over 8%. In industries such as food, medicine, chemical, and electronics that require high hygiene and safety standards, the penetration rate of plastic pallets is over 70%.
2、 The core advantages of plastic pallets
Strong durability and high cost-effectiveness
The plastic tray is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP), which has excellent impact resistance, corrosion resistance, and load-bearing capacity (static load can reach 4-6 tons). Its service life can reach 5-10 times that of wooden pallets, and the long-term use cost is lower.
Lightweight design, suitable for automated warehousing
The weight of plastic pallets is only one-third of that of wooden pallets, and the specifications are uniform, making it easy to standardize management. Its bottom structure (such as nine legged, Sichuan shaped, double-sided) can be adapted to automated equipment such as forklifts, AGV robots, conveyor belts, etc., greatly improving the efficiency of warehousing operations.
3、 Five considerations for choosing plastic pallets
Load bearing requirements: Select static load (static stacking) and dynamic load (load bearing during transportation) parameters based on the weight of the goods.
Usage scenario: Optional anti slip design in humid environments; Cold chain storage requires low-temperature resistant materials (such as modified PP that maintains toughness at -25 ℃).
Size adaptability: Match the internal dimensions of shelves, containers, and transport vehicles to avoid space waste.
Industry specificity: The chemical industry requires acid and alkali resistant trays, while the food industry can choose antibacterial additive materials.
Under the wave of intelligence and greenization, plastic pallets are no longer just simple handling tools, but important carriers for enterprises to optimize their supply chains and implement sustainable development strategies. In the future, with the integration of new materials and IoT technologies (such as embedding RFID chips to achieve intelligent management of pallets), this "invisible hero" will continue to drive innovation in the global logistics industry.
2025-04-03
