Heat treatment is an old trick in the history of maintaining and protecting materials to prevent infestation and environment damage. It’s the best way to ensure the hygiene and efficiency of your warehouse.
Wintertime, especially, is when heat treated wood pallets perform best against cold and freezing temperature expansion, contraction, wetness, and humidity...all major factors in damaging and weakening wood pallets.
How are wood pallets treated with heat?
The heat treatment process of wooden pallets is quite simple. According the International Phytosanitary Standard for Wood Packaging, wood pallets must be debarked before they’re heated to a minimum of 56 degree Celsius. After undergoing this step, they can be stamped with a compliance and quality assurance mark.
Here are some interesting facts about heat-treated wood pallets:
1. Heat Treatment Prevents Mold and Infestation in Wooden Pallets
Heat treating wood pallets is the most effective way to protect the timber from pest infestation and moisture buildup. As a result, the wood stays safe from mildew and mold growth and maintains its structural integrity for years.
Heat treatment prevent harmful germs and microbes from inhibiting inside the wooden fibers and pores and also keeps bugs at bay. Moreover, it also ensures the hygiene and safety of your warehouse or facility staff by protecting the area from termites.
Industrial guidelines recommend businessmen to invest in high quality heat treated wooden pallets, especially if they’re transporting sensitive products such as food and chemicals.
2. Wood Heat Treatment is Internationally Regulated
ISPM-15 is an international regulation that ensures the authenticity and viability of wood heat treatments for pest and contamination control. In addition to UK and Canada, the US also accepts and regulates the code and applies it to all kinds of wood pallets, boxes, and collars.
The sole purpose of ISMP-15 is to reduce and mitigate the risk of exposing wooden pallets to pests, disease-causing germs, and termites. These contaminants can compromise the quality of products being transported inside the wooden storage containers and affect the end-consumer. Moreover, the code also ensures the efficiency and safety of international trade involving wood packaging and transport material. However, the code doesn’t take plywood pallets into account.
The ISPM-15 presents three approaches to eradicating the potential for pests and contaminants that include:
Heat Treatment
Kiln Drying
Methyl bromide (MB) fumigation for wood packaging material
3. Heat Treated Wood Pallets are Eco-Friendly
A study reveals that around 70% of the wooden pallets in the US are made of recycled materials. Since wood is recyclable, biodegradable, it has a higher efficiency rate than metal and plastic pallets.
Contrary to a popular belief that wood pallet manufacturers are increasing deforestation, the fact is this product is made of timber—a byproduct of construction and furniture industries. The high-quality wood is used to make consumer products and furniture and the leftovers are constructed into pallets.
Moreover, the US Environmental Protection Agency also revealed that the amount of wooden pallets contributing to landfills has significantly reduced over the years.
Buy Custom Industrial or Commercial Wooden Pallets Online
Whether you’re looking for commercial or industrial pallets, Cantarero Pallets, Inc. is here to serve you. We’re a leading wood pallets manufacturer and product packaging supplier in Chicagoland, dedicated to offering high-quality heat treated wooden pallets. You can also get custom pallets made according your operational and business needs.
Get in touch with us today to know your options.
