Plastic Pallet Makers Respond, Adapt to Market Opportunities: ISPM-J5 Spurs Interest; Manufacturers Launch Edge-Rackable Versions

摘要

More than 40 years after plastic pallets - often frail or flimsy prototypes - were first introduced to the U.S. auto industry, plastic pallets are now the dominant pallets in some industries, including automotive, downstream grocery and the U.S. Postal Service. They also appeal to manufacturers in a growing range of other applications, such as pharmaceutical 'clean room' products to pallets for export shipments. Since Pallet Enterprise last examined plastic pallets over five years ago, there have been a number of notable developments in this segment of the pallet industry, from product development to the growth of plastic pallet recycling and management-pooling. Improved features, such as fire retardant resin and edge rackability, have become widespread among plastic pallet manufacturers. In addition, implementation of the ISPM 15 regulations for solid wood packaging has spurred interest in lightweight plastic pallets. Weight reduction is also an important consideration in both single trip and multiple use applications as manufacturers try to reduce material — and costs — in order to convert new customers in the face of rising resin prices.