Definition
A pallet manufactured by compressing and molding wood fibers, recycled plastic, or other composite materials into shape under heat and pressure. Molded pallets are lightweight, consistent in dimensions, nestable, and often exempt from ISPM-15 requirements since the manufacturing process eliminates pest risks. They are popular for export shipping, air freight, and applications where pallet weight is a major cost factor.
Related Terms
Expendable Pallet
A low-cost pallet intended for a single use, designed to be discarded or recycled after one shipping cycle rather than returned or reused. Expendable pallets are built from inexpensive materials such as lightweight wood, corrugated fiberboard, or molded pressed wood. They are common in export shipping where return logistics are impractical and in promotional displays where the pallet is not expected to survive beyond delivery.
Nestable Pallet
A pallet designed so that empty pallets can nest inside each other, stacking compactly by overlapping rather than just sitting on top of one another. Nestable pallets typically have a nine-leg design without a bottom deck, allowing the legs of one pallet to fit into the spaces of the pallet below. This design dramatically reduces the storage and transportation space required for empty pallets — a stack of nestable pallets occupies about one-third the space of conventional pallets.
Corrugated Pallet
A pallet constructed primarily from heavy-duty corrugated fiberboard rather than wood or plastic. Corrugated pallets are lightweight, recyclable, and exempt from ISPM-15 phytosanitary requirements since they are not solid wood. They are suitable for lighter loads and one-way shipping applications, especially in export markets where avoiding wood treatment costs is advantageous. However, they have lower load capacity and moisture resistance than wood pallets.
High-Density Polyethylene
A thermoplastic polymer (HDPE) commonly used to manufacture plastic pallets. HDPE pallets are lightweight, moisture-resistant, impervious to insects and mold, and exempt from ISPM-15 phytosanitary requirements. They are commonly used in pharmaceutical, food processing, and clean-room environments where hygiene is paramount. HDPE pallets can be injection-molded or structurally formed and are fully recyclable at end of life.
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Our glossary contains 165+ terms covering everything from pallet construction to compliance regulations and industry organizations.