According to the forecasts of the World Trade Organization (WTO), world trade will grow by 4.5% in 2014. The increase in freight traffic in a more globalized market together with the current economic situation requires further optimization of international logistics costs.
Weighing between 50% and 75% less than their wooden counterparts, cardboard pallets save on transport costs. This is especially important for companies whose merchandise is light, where the weight of the wooden pallets can represent a considerable percentage of the total weight, or for air transport logistics operations, where weight reduction is even more relevant.
If we add to this that they do not need to be regulated by the NIMF 15Since recycling is much easier, and they can be custom built according to specific transport needs, it is not surprising that cardboard pallets are being adopted as an efficient and more ecological solution for the export of certain types of merchandise.
Cardboard pallets are manufactured with the dimensions of traditional pallets, which allows their use with forklifts and their storage in conventional metal racks.
However, cardboard pallets are not suitable for pallet exchange, nor to support the heaviest loads. Despite this, some models can support weights of over 2,000 kg, are more easily recyclable than wooden ones, and the disposal of cardboard pallets can be done directly and easily by retailers.
And although its biggest drawback has been its vulnerability to humidity, the latest manufacturing techniques already make it possible to obtain waterproof cardboard pallets.
While wooden pallets will indisputably continue to dominate due to their greater overall versatility and providing greater merchandise protection, cardboard pallets are growing at a remarkable rate and have become the best alternative for certain applications.