A Captive Pallet for the Future

Plastic lumber offers captive pallets a new future.

Captive pallets are designed to save money by being reusable. Plastic lumber is repairable and durable. Plus, it can be custom made to fit your specific requirements. Sounds pretty good so far. But will it work for you?

Below we explore the benefits and drawbacks to plastic lumber pallets.

A plastic lumber pallet can provide an alternative to traditional wooden or plastic pallets.​

Comparison to Traditional Wooden and Plastic Pallets

Captive pallets are pallets designed to last in a warehouse environment for repetitive use. Both traditional wooden pallets and plastic pallets are used in these applications.

• Heavy duty plastic pallets have become popular as a captive pallet in many industries. Unfortunately, they do not fit the needs of all customers because custom sizes and designs can be cost prohibitive.
    
• Wooden pallets are less expensive to produce and can be repaired when minor damage has occurred. Even though wood is often used for captive pallets, they can be easily damaged, require mold prevention treatment and can’t be easily sanitized.

Is Plastic Lumber Right for You?

The biggest advantage of a plastic lumber captive pallet is custom design. Custom designs are often worth looking at because they can uncover hidden savings.

A design team is critical to the this process. In addition to drafting a new design, the team reviews all supply chain systems to make sure the pallet will work with all material handling equipment. Utilizing a service such as the Nelson Tech Center provides expertise for reducing total cost of ownership and improved sustainability.

Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Benefits of Plastic Lumber Board

• Durable
• No moisture problems (reduces mold and decay)
• Cleanliness
• Can be nailed using the same equipment as wood pallets

Drawbacks of Plastic Lumber Board

• Higher initial cost
• Boards must be nailed or screwed together using metal fasteners
• Weight (plastic lumber can be heavier than most wood species)

    
Captive pallets have undergone many changes in the last 50 years - especially with the introduction of plastic pallets. While plastic pallets do not fit every need, the introduction of plastic lumber provides a new option for a custom-sized captive pallet.  

In what ways could a captive pallet made from plastic lumber work for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Post by: Jonathan Haynes, Regional Sales Manager