Closed Deck

They’re Strong and Durable but Also Cost-Effective

A closed deck pallet is often slightly stronger and heavier than its open structure counterparts due to the additional plastic material in it. INKA Pallets has a wide range of hygienic pallets with closed deck and closed board pallets for all loads and budgets – whether they’re for single-use export or for internal multi-trip use.

They’re Eco-Friendly

Many closed-deck plastic pallets are made from recyclable plastic which supports sustainable practices. At INKA Pallets, we provide plenty of eco-friendly closed-deck pallets in our collection, ensuring deliveries are greener and safer. Our closed board pallets are long-lasting too to help reduce waste.

They Improve Stability and Load Capacity

The closed-deck style provides better support for products in transit. All products, especially those in smaller packaging, are supported through the design of a closed-deck pallet reducing the risk of movement, damage or spillages during transit. The closed-deck design also offers consistent surface contact, distributing the weight of the pallet evenly. This makes them ideal for conveyors and automated systems and reduces breakages while in transit.

The difference between a closed-deck Pallet and a hygiene pallet

Hygiene pallets are a sub-division of closed deck pallets. A true ‘hygiene pallet’ denotes that the plastic pallet doesn’t just have a closed top surface, but its underside and feet are also closed/sealed off as well. In other words, you can only really tell the difference when you turn the pallet upside down! There, you will see the difference between the two. Hygiene pallets with closed deck has a totally smooth and covered structure, but a standard closed-deck plastic pallet doesn’t. Closed deck pallets have an exposed lattice structure on the underside.

Another common difference between the two is that true hygiene plastic pallets are nearly always made from virgin polymer. Virgin polymer is traceable in its origin and can, therefore, be certified ‘food grade.’ This certification is important for use in food processing areas and pharmaceutical high-care areas. On the other hand, standard closed deck pallets are often produced using more sustainable, but not traceable, recycled polymer.

Full hygiene pallets are also more expensive than closed board pallets because they have to be made from two separate injection-moulded sections (the top deck and the feet/base). These two parts are then sealed together using ultra-sonic vibration welding, which involves more time, labour, and material.

Despite the differences, both closed-deck plastic pallets and hygienic pallets with a closed deck share the fact that they are certainly way more hygienic and easier to clean than either timber pallets or other plastic pallets.

However, the differences mean that they are used by food and pharmaceutical companies differently. A closed deck pallet tends to be suited for loading finished food or pharmaceutical products, which are already packaged. Hygiene pallets normally handle more raw material and rarely leave their clean room environment or go off-site at a factory. Now you know!

Speak to the Experts.

If you want to ask any of our expert team further questions about hygiene or closed-deck pallets, just call us!