Heat treated pallets have become a staple in shipping and packaging. These treated and fortified pallets ensure the safe and efficient transportation of goods across borders, complying with international regulations.
Find out if heat treated pallets are the packaging solution for your shipping needs. Discover all you need to know about heat treated pallets, from their treatment process to their regulatory requirements.
The Treatment Process
The treatment process for heat treated pallets involves exposing wooden pallets to high temperatures in a controlled environment. This process, known as heat treatment, is designed to eradicate pests and pathogens that may be present in the wood. Typically, the pallets are placed in a specialized kiln where they are heated to a core temperature of at least 56 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Benefits of Heat Treated Pallets
Heat treated pallets prevent the spread of invasive species and adhere to global phytosanitary standards. On top of eliminating pests and pathogens, the pallets’ heat treatment also increases durability, strengthening the wood and making it less susceptible to decay and damage. This results in a longer lifespan and reduced costs over time.
Additionally, heat treated pallets are more environmentally friendly compared to chemically treated alternatives. The absence of chemical treatments ensures no harmful residues contaminate products or the environment, making the pallets suitable for transporting food and other sensitive goods.
Regulatory Requirements
When it comes to international shipping, compliance is crucial. The international plant protection convention (IPPC) sets the standards for heat treated pallets through the ISPM-15 regulation. This regulation requires stamping heat treated pallets with an HT mark indicating they have undergone proper treatment and are safe for cross-border and export shipments.
Businesses engaged in international trade must ensure their pallets meet these regulatory standards. Non-compliance can result in costly shipment rejections, fines, and delays. Therefore, it is essential to source and use properly marked and treated pallets.
Two-Way and Four-Way Approachable Heat Treated Pallets
Two-way and four-way approachable heat treated pallets are essential in various industries for safe and efficient material handling. Two-way pallets are designed with two open sides, allowing forklifts to approach and lift them from only two opposite sides. This design is straightforward, cost-effective, and suitable for specific storage and transport configurations.
In contrast, four-way pallets provide entry points on all four sides. They offer greater flexibility for forklift access from any direction, which enhances operational efficiency in tight spaces and complex warehousing layouts.
Design Variations
Heat-treated pallets come in various designs to meet different operational needs, including stringer, block, and rackable variations. Stringer pallets use parallel timber pieces for robust, cost-effective support and forklift entry from the front and back. Block pallets feature rectangular blocks for additional support, allowing forklifts to enter from all four sides for better accessibility.
Rackable pallets cater to storage racks with reinforced structures to handle substantial weight. These variations enhance efficiency, safety, and compliance with international shipping standards. Heat-treated pallets can also come in varying board thicknesses to suit different load requirements and handling conditions.
What you should know about heat treated pallets is that they comply with and enhance international shipping and packaging. When you purchase heat treated pallets from Jakeco Holdings, you receive properly treated and stamped pallets that’ll make your overseas shipments safe, compliant, and secure. Contact us today for your bulk supply of heat treated pallets.
