Over the years, there has been an increase in the use of plastic pallets over the traditional wooden options. Many wonder why this change has happened because for decades, the wooden pallet was undefeated as the best way to store and ship goods. But, the plastic pallet was created and managed to top its wooden counterpart in numerous ways, bringing users a multitude of benefits. One significant benefit is its unparalleled durability and weight capacity.
Now, if you’re wondering, “How much weight can a plastic pallet hold?”, we don’t blame you, and it’s a common question we get here at INKA Pallets. As there is a wide range of plastic pallets available, there is no set weight capacity. This is because it’s all dependent on the type of pallet. Different pallets will give different weight capacities as they are designed for various applications and goods. There are specially designed pallets for immense weights, known as heavy duty plastic pallets.
Here at INKA, we specialise in plastic pallets and provide a large collection of pallets to suit your needs, including heavy duty options. We understand that all of these different options can be quite confusing, especially when it comes to what you can use them for and how much weight they can take. So we have made this guide to help you understand the strength of plastic pallets compared to wooden ones and find the right pallet for you.
How Strong Are Pallets?
Any pallet, whether made of plastic or wood, has different weight capacities for different uses. This can be very confusing when looking for the right pallet because there will never be just one weight capacity listed.
There will typically be two weights you see listed under a pallet product. These are: Static Load and Dynamic Load. The static load is the first weight capacity you see. This basically means the maximum weight a pallet can safely support when it’s stationary. It is a great weight capacity to look at if you need pallets for storing goods. For example, a warehouse will need to look at the static load to determine how many pallets they can safely stack on top of each other.
The next weight capacity you will see is the dynamic load, which means the maximum weight a pallet can safely support goods while they’re in motion. This is something you need to look for if your purpose for pallets is to transport and ship goods. It is also something that needs to be considered if you ever need to move the pallets. This includes during loading and unloading from trucks, lifting by a forklift and transporting by conveyor belts.
So, how strong are pallets? Traditional wooden pallets all come with different weight capacities depending on the type of wood they are made from. Some types are stronger than others, but once wood starts to wear down or rot, they quickly lose their strength and can easily break.
Even though the weight capacity varies depending on the type of wood the pallet is made from, most wooden pallets are known for having impressive static load capacities. This makes them great for handling heavy weights when stacked in storage and warehouses. They typically range from 1134kg (2500lbs) to 2722kg (6000lbs). Yet, their dynamic load isn’t as impressive and is much lower than their static load capabilities. This is due to being a natural material, so it is prone to cracking, splintering and warping when under stress. The dynamic load can range from around 680kg (1500lbs) to 1361kg (3000lbs).
How Strong Are Plastic Pallets?
Again, plastic pallets have both a static load capability and a dynamic load capability. These are very different from their wooden counterparts and show just why many people are turning to plastic pallets instead. So, if you’re wondering this and thinking, “How strong are plastic pallets?”, don’t worry because we have the answer.
Plastic pallets may not seem as good as wooden ones at first, due to the first weight you see will actually be a little lower than wood pallets. This is because a plastic pallet’s static load is a little less, but still good. They range from around 907kg (2000lbs) to 2268kg (5000lbs). But when their dynamic load is factored in, this is what truly makes plastic pallets special and just why they are preferred to wooden ones. Their dynamic loads are exceptional due to their robust construction and resistance to warping, making them perfect for high-impact tasks and heavy loads. They can usually range from around 771kg (1700lbs) to 1814kg (4000lbs).
How Much Weight Can a Plastic Pallet Hold?
With the typical range of static and dynamic loads, plastic pallets can hold much more weight in transportation than a wooden one. But there are different types that have unique weight capacities to suit different applications. When it comes to how much weight a plastic pallet can hold, it is really all dependent on the type you’re looking for. You will be looking for a pallet that suits your requirements and the purpose you need it to do, not just picking the largest weight capacity. If you are looking for the toughest ones, then there are heavy duty plastic pallets available for industrial goods. However, you may need something lightweight or suitable to protect chemicals or keep food in good condition. These pallets each have different weight capacities to suit their use and prevent overloading and breaking them.
What Pallet is Best to Use?
Now, you’re properly thinking about which pallet you need to get the job done. We may not have a definitive answer because it depends on what you want to use it for, but we can guide you to the right one. The best way to find the perfect pallet is to look at the type you need. This could be hygienic for cleanliness, standard sizes for UK and Euro, rackable to be placed in open beam pallet racking or even lightweight that are nestable. From this, you can find the weight capacity of the pallet type to determine if this suits your goods. For example, our lightweight, nestable pallets are capable of bearing loads up to 1000kg, so if you’re working within this weight limit and need easy-to-move and nestable features, then you’ve found your pallet.
If you’re looking for excellent strength and weight capacities for your plastic pallet requirements, then INKA have the perfect ones for you.
Heavy Duty Pallet
You can easily find the right heavy duty pallet for your needs as we have an extensive range. Manufactured to create the strongest, most durable range of pallets available on the UK market, this range is ideal for heavy loads requiring long-term storage, such as in industrial and chemical environments. With static loads of up to 7000kg, dynamic loads of 2250kg, and racking loads of up to 1800kg, you can really find the strongest pallets for your heavy loads!
Find out more about our heavy duty plastic pallets here.
Medium Duty Pallet
We have a wide range of medium duty pallets that are durable and strong, with a good weight capacity. These are perfect for most applications for loads under 1000kg. Our medium duty pallets vary in style. Some are nestable which stack inside each other, making them ideal for space-saving storage and returns. However, the majority of the mediums have runners/stringers which allow them to be used in open beam racking. These pallets can take loads of between 300-900 Kg in open beam racking.
Explore them here.
Standard Pallets
If you’re looking for standard pallets, meaning the typical UK or Euro size pallet, then we even have these with large load capacities. The heaviest load they can take is 1500kg, but they all vary in weight for different applications. The UK standard comes in the size 1200 x 1000mm, and the Euro standard comes in the size 800 x 1200mm. These all come in various types to meet your requirements, like heavy duty and hygienic.
Find out more about our standard pallets in UK and Euro sizes.
Find Strong Plastic Pallets with INKA
It’s easier than ever to find the perfect strong plastic pallets with INKA. Our diverse range of plastic pallets caters to your every need, offering a variety of styles for different applications. They also range in size and strength to suit every budget and load. What’s more is that most of our range is made from 100% recycled plastic, while all our pallets are recyclable at the end of their service life.