01/12/05 Plastic pallet packs more, by passes fumigation law (By Ahmed ElAmin)

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A new plastic pallet allows food exporters to pack more product while allowing them to avoid having to go through the fumigation procedures required under a new international standard for wood packaging, the product's manufacturer claims.

The more compact packing plus the elimination of the need for fumigation means food packers can achieve cost savings, Rehrig Pacific says about its RPX 4840 Export Pallet. The company says international standards are driving the growth in the use of plastic pallets for exports.

From 15 September this year countries signing up to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation's International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM15) require all solid wood packing material thicker than 6mm to be heat-treated or fumigated and stamped with an official mark.

The aim is to prevent pests, other insects and biological material from being transferred unknowingly from one country to another. Goods packed in wood material that does not comply with the ISPM15 standard will be returned to the exporter at their expense.

Rehrig Pacific's RPX 4840 Export Pallet is made from recycled plastic. It is designed as an inexpensive, alternative to a wood pallet and is meant to be used primarily for one-way shipping.

Rehrig claims its Export Pallets allows food companies to ship about 700 more pounds (318 kg) of product per container. The increase could decrease the pallet's unit cost enough so that an exporter would be able to compete in a desired market. The Export Pallet weighs about 17 pounds (7.7 kg) and has a load rating of about 2,500 pounds (1,134 kg).

“This impressive strength-to-weight ratio is important in the export market due to weight limitations on shipments,” stated Rehrig's sales manager, JP Michaud. “Some exporters who use 50-pound plus wood pallets face the dilemma of 'weighing out' before they 'cube out' a shipping container. This means they reach the weight limit before they can fill the container with product."

Rehrig is a manufacturer of reusable plastic containers and plastic pallets for handling and transporting produce, food and beverage products and other consumer goods. The Los Angeles based company distributes worldwide through a network of licensees.

The international ISPM 15 requirements on wood pallets apply to all species of coniferous and non-coniferous packaging materials. The standard does not not apply to wood packaging made wholly of products such as plywood, particle board, oriented strand board, medium density fibre board or products created using glue, heat and pressure or a combination of these.

Most member countries have already partially or fully implemented the standards. The EU, Australia, Canada and South Africa are also implementing bans on coniferous wood packaging and in certain cases non-coniferous hardwood packaging, meaning shipping pallets (skids), crates, and wood used to secure ocean cargo loads.

Under the ISPM15 requirements, exporters would be required to heat treat wood packaging material to a minimum core temperature of 56ºC for a minimum of 30 minutes. Exporters could also use methyl bromide to fumigate the wood packing.

The rule requires certification of the packaging with an approved International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo. Unmarked WPM
will be considered untreated and non-compliant.

About 80 million wood pallets were sold for export use in 2004, according to Rehrig.