Plastic Resins Used in Pallets: ACM, HDPE and HDPP

Trying to decide which type or grade of plastic your pallet should be made of? With a variety to choose from, choices can be overwhelming. I hope this post helps you to make the best decision.

Plastic resins like these are used in making plastic pallets.

3 Popular Choices in Plastic Resins
​If you have ever purchased a plastic pallet (or plan to) you may have seen acronyms next to part numbers such as ACM, HDPE or HDPP. All three of these are indicators of what material the pallet is made of. Sure, you'll also see pallets out there made with other types of plastic, but today we are going to focus on these top contenders.

Best Material for your Application
When it comes to choosing the best material for plastic pallets, consider where and how you intend to use the pallets. Are you using them for export or a single time? Will you be using them for multiple closed-loop trips? Will you use them for warehousing? Because plastic resin can vary greatly in strength, weight and price we recommend seeking the advice of a pallet professional for choosing a plastic pallet in accordance with your unique application requirements.

Here are three types of pallet resins and pros and cons of each:

​HDPE or just "PE": High Density Polyethylene
HDPE is one of the most commonly used resins in plastic pallets today. 

• Extremely durable and tough
• Resistant to moisture and chemicals
• Suitable for closed-loop or multi-trip product handling processes
• Suitable for heavy loads in racking systems
• More affordable than PP
• Less rigid, higher impact resistance

HDPP or just "PP": High Density Polypropylene
Polypropylene has many similarities to HDPE but it is a harder, more rigid material. PP is recommended for racking when no center support is available. 

• Very strong, durable and tough
• Resistant to heat, chemicals, grease and oil
• Harder and more rigid than HDPE
• Suitable for high temperature applications
• Suitable for heavy loads in racking systems

ACM: Advanced Composite Material
This proprietary blend of materials consists of a mixture originating from a variety of post-industrial plastic scrap. This is 100% recycled material and is going to be the least expensive of the bunch. ACM is stiff but can be brittle so it is more suitable for one-way or export shipments. Depending on handling, ACM can hold up to multi-trip use, but PE and PP historically work better.

• Cheaper alternative to virgin and recycled HDPE/PP
• Best for one-way, export shipments
• More brittle, lower impact resistance
• Resistant to microorganisms and insects

Plastic Pallets play an integral role in the supply chain. Everything from size to design to type of plastic are all crucial elements to ensure you are investing in the best product for your operation. I hope this information helps you determine what type of plastic resin you should choose. Need more help? Please reach out or post your questions below about the different types of plastic used in our plastic pallets.

Post by Lindsey Silverman, Business Development Representative