A presswood pallet, also called a moulded wood or compressed wood pallet, is formed in one piece from wood particles or fibers bound with thermosetting resin under heat and pressure. Because the material counts as processed wood, such pallets fall outside ISPM 15, and because they are nestable, lightweight and nail-free, they are widely used for one-way export shipments of light and medium loads.
What presswood pallets are
Presswood pallets are not assembled from boards. Wood residue, such as chips, shavings and fibers from sawmills or recycled lumber, is mixed with resin, spread into a mold and pressed at high temperature. The result is a single molded unit with integral feet, a deck and ribs. Because it is molded, the shape can be nestable, with feet that fit into the pallet below.
A trade article from Supply Chain 24/7 describes the manufacturing of one well-known brand as a mix of recycled wood and damaged lumber fibers with thermoset resin, pressed under heat and a pressure of 1,200 tons, with the finished pallet below 3% moisture content. These are manufacturer-reported process details; other makers use different presses and resins. Related equipment is described in moulded pallet presses and chipwood block presses.
Why they are exempt from ISPM 15
ISPM 15, the international standard on wood packaging, does not apply to wood packaging made wholly of processed wood material. The standard names plywood, particle board, oriented strand board and veneer created using glue, heat or pressure as examples. Molded wood fiber pallets are made by the same principle, and manufacturers and shippers treat them as exempt on that basis. As a result no heat treatment, fumigation or ISPM 15 mark is needed.
Two cautions apply. First, rules are interpreted by each importing country's plant protection authority, so exporters should confirm acceptance for their destination, particularly if the pallet incorporates solid wood parts. Second, the exemption covers only fully processed material; hybrid pallets with solid wood runners are in a different category. See ISPM 15 exemptions and ISPM 15 explained.
Properties and performance
| Property | Typical characteristic |
|---|---|
| Construction | One-piece molded unit, no nails or fasteners |
| Nesting | Pallets nest, so empty stacks are compact |
| Weight | Light compared with solid wood, but heavier than corrugated |
| Moisture | Dried in the press; low moisture content and less susceptible to mould |
| Load class | Light to medium; generally not for heavy racking |
| Sizes | Limited to the molds manufacturers have; several standard footprints and smaller formats are offered, depending on the maker |
| Repair | Not repairable |
Load capacity varies by model and by test condition. Floor stacking, forklift handling and racking each have separate ratings, and some models are not suited to racking. Ask for the manufacturer's tested ratings, using methods such as ISO 8611 or ASTM D1185; see pallet load capacity.
The density of the pressed material helps stiffness, and the Supply Chain 24/7 article says the molded material has density equivalent to red oak, though that claim also comes from the manufacturer's side. Presswood is vulnerable to prolonged exposure to water, as with any wood-based panel, so it is best stored under cover.
Advantages and limits
Advantages
- Export convenience: no treatment, stamping or fumigation, and no ISPM 15 rejection risk when the exemption is accepted.
- Nestability: compact return or storage; one US maker says stacks of 50 pallets can cut trailer unloading time in half.
- No nails or splinters: an advantage for bagged goods, in-plant handling and automated lines.
- Uniform weight and dimensions.
- Lower cost than nestable plastic in many comparisons, according to trade sources.
Limits
- Not repairable and rarely reused many times.
- Lower capacity than strong solid-wood pallets and generally not suited to heavy racking.
- Limited sizes and high tooling costs, so custom sizes are costly.
- Sensitivity to wet conditions.
Choosing between these and wooden or plastic alternatives follows the same logic as in wood vs plastic pallets and one-way vs reusable pallets.
Typical uses
Presswood pallets are common in one-way export shipments of chemicals, bagged goods, consumer products, electronics, pharmaceuticals and small parts. One US maker describes its pallets as suitable for domestic and export transport packaging and says smaller footprints, such as 24 × 40 in, are available for half-pallet use. They also serve in air and sea freight when weight matters, and as in-plant pallets.
For loads that need rack storage or heavy stacking, the usual choice remains a wooden or plastic pallet. For very light loads, paper and corrugated pallets are an alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Do presswood pallets need ISPM 15 marking?
Generally no. Pallets made wholly from processed wood material under heat and pressure are outside the scope of ISPM 15, but importing countries decide how the rules are applied, so check destination requirements.
What is a presswood pallet made of?
Wood fibers or particles, often from recycled wood and sawmill residue, mixed with thermosetting resin and pressed in a heated mold.
Can presswood pallets be used on racks?
Some designs can, but many are rated for floor stacking and forklift handling only. The manufacturer's tested rack rating should be used.
Are presswood pallets reusable?
They can be reused for a few trips with care, but they are mostly designed as one-way pallets and cannot be repaired.
Sources
- Packaging Corner: Alternative Pallet Material Offers Unique Benefits — Supply Chain 24/7
- Exportable Pallets — Material Handling & Logistics
- ISPM 15: Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade — IPPC