Plastic progress
April 1st 2004

Charlotte Stonestreet spoke to Alliberts Nick Clements about the latest developments in plastic pallets When it comes to heavy duty plastic pallets, Allibert Buckhorn (in its various guises) has always been at the forefront of innovation. For example, in 1989 it was was the first manufacturer to install steel bars into plastic pallets effectively increasing fork width entry and mechanical strength. The use of plastic pallets has, to some extent, been driven by legislation, says Alliberts Nick Clements. Health and hygiene requirements have meant that companies have had to change from wooden to plastic pallets. For example, wood can not be used in food processing areas. This is because it cannot be adequately sterilised. There is also more chance of product contamination from splinters and dust from degrading pallets. He continues: Another major advantage of the plastic pallet is its constant tare weight. The weight of a plastic pallet is always the same, whereas wood varies. Wood comes in different densities and moisture in-take can have a major effect if the pallet has been stored outside. In fact, if a wooden pallet has been stored outside over winter, it can weigh around twice as much as it would had it been stored in dry conditions. Smooth, lightweight and generally easy to handle, plastic pallets do not have nails or sharp edges benefits that are coming to the forefront as employers become increasingly safety conscious. Continuing its development in this area, last year the company launched the Maestro pallet. Available in two sizes 1200 x 800mm and 1200 x 1000mm it has either three or perimeter runners (1200 x 1000mm version only) and can be specified with steel reinforcement for heavy duty applications. Particular benefits Although the Maestro is suitable for use across industry, it brings particular benefits to the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Offering high hygiene levels, it is manufactured from food grade HDPE. Its smooth design means that it is free from dirt traps and the rounded corners also aid secure stretch wrapping. There are anchoring points on the underside of the deck for strapping and bevelled runners allow easy access for pallet truck rollers. Compatible with all automatic and manual handling equipment, the Maestro also has wide width fork entry slots for quick and easy forklift access. Strong yet lightweight, the pallet shell features encapsulated strengthening ribs for minimal flex on forklifts and racking. It is also suitable for closed loop and multi-trip logistics operations. Heavy duty versions are reinforced with steel bars for handling loads up to 1.6t on racking, two tonnes dynamic or five tonnes static. The latest development of the 1200 x 1000mm Maestro is a version that features a load retaining collar. As well as sharing the benefits of the standard Maestro, this model enables outdoor storage of plastic containers and trays when not in use a particular advantage if indoor storage space is at a premium. According to Clements, the initial inspiration for the product came from the automotive sector, where smaller boxes are stored upside down when empty. The fact that the box is turned upside down acts as an indicator that it is empty, helping to avoid any confusion about stock requirements. Protection from the elements The off-set 25mm collar leaves a full 1200 x 1000mm deck area so empty Euro-sized containers can be stacked upside down on the pallet. This not only protects containers from the elements and contamination but, with drainage holes incorporated in the collar, also allows easy drainage after washing. If the boxes are stored outside without being turned upside down, they can fill-up with as much as 50 litres of water, says Clements. Not only does this pose a handling risk because it is so heavy, the boxes will usually have to be cleaned and dried after they have been emptied before they can be used again. When boxes are stored on a pallet without an extended collar there is also a risk that they will slide around during transit, he continues. Before the extended collar version of the Maestro the boxes would have had to have been shrink wrapped to the pallet in order to avoid this. The pallets design also enables the easy palletising of 600 x 400mm cardboard boxes, while the collar is useful in the retention of other bulky items, as well as oversized containers. Like the other Maestro pallets, the extended collar version can incorporate tamper-proof RFID tags with read-write capability for permanent identification of ownership, stock management and tracking.

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