ECO concerns and cost cutting have seen increased demand for recyclable corrugated cardboard air freight pallets, London's Air Cargo News reports.
Jettainer, Lufthansa Cargo's ULD management company, has allied with the sales force of German start-up trilatec to move its squAIR-timber paper-based product.
The 'paper beams' using squAIR timber are up to 80 per cent lighter than conventional wooden planks, without sacrificing load-bearing capacity.
One metre of the material with a net weight of only 1.2 kg carries up to five tons of cargo. Net weight of a traditionally wooden plank is 3kg-4kg per metre, said Jettainer.
In addition, squAIR-timber consists of 100 per centrecycled material, is inexpensive and can be disposed of alongside regular paper waste without any problems.
While definitive statistics for the growing use of corrugated pallets are not available, industry feedback suggest that retailers on the shop floor are calling for greater use of sustainable pallets while shippers are equally keen to reduce shipment weight and airfreight costs.
A November 2017 research study by analysts Technavio found that the global corrugated pallets market will witness a 'substantial growth rate'.
Adam Pener, president of pallet provider Green Ox in the US, says that demand for corrugated pallets is increasing, as is the number of manufacturers in this specialist market.
'My sense is that lightweight plastic pallets are more common, but are being phased out due to environmental and performance issues. Corrugated is the better option,' said Mr Pener.
WORLD SHIPPING
Jettainer, Lufthansa Cargo's ULD management company, has allied with the sales force of German start-up trilatec to move its squAIR-timber paper-based product.
The 'paper beams' using squAIR timber are up to 80 per cent lighter than conventional wooden planks, without sacrificing load-bearing capacity.
One metre of the material with a net weight of only 1.2 kg carries up to five tons of cargo. Net weight of a traditionally wooden plank is 3kg-4kg per metre, said Jettainer.
In addition, squAIR-timber consists of 100 per centrecycled material, is inexpensive and can be disposed of alongside regular paper waste without any problems.
While definitive statistics for the growing use of corrugated pallets are not available, industry feedback suggest that retailers on the shop floor are calling for greater use of sustainable pallets while shippers are equally keen to reduce shipment weight and airfreight costs.
A November 2017 research study by analysts Technavio found that the global corrugated pallets market will witness a 'substantial growth rate'.
Adam Pener, president of pallet provider Green Ox in the US, says that demand for corrugated pallets is increasing, as is the number of manufacturers in this specialist market.
'My sense is that lightweight plastic pallets are more common, but are being phased out due to environmental and performance issues. Corrugated is the better option,' said Mr Pener.
WORLD SHIPPING