Goplasticpallets.com has reported a surge in plastic pallet sales for exports since September, with sales up 20% in comparison to the same period last year. 

Jim Hardisty, Managing Director of Goplasticpallets.com, said: “We’ve seen real positive growth these past few months. Enquiries for plastic pallets are up 30% overall; most of these are export related, which has increased our sales of nestable and entry level pallets.

“It’s clear that exporters confidence in using wooden pallets has dropped considerably since the industry announced it’s struggling to heat treat enough pallets by the final Brexit deadline on 31 December 2020, when all wooden pallets transiting between the UK and EU must be ISPM15-compliant.”

Yet whilst plastic export pallet sales soar, the wooden pallet industry is facing yet another hurdle – how to repair wooden pallets to meet the new heat treatment requirements. It seems that the wooden packaging industry is being forced to take additional measures to grow their stock of compliant wooden pallets.

Just today TIMCON – the Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation announced: “Heat-treated wooden components will be temporarily allowed for the repair of wooden pallets and packaging, increasing options for businesses who want to grow their capacity of ISPM15-compliant wooden packaging material (WPM).”

This new measure was proposed by the UK Government and approved by the devolved governments  but only on a temporary basis to help raise stocks of compliant WPM  in the weeks remaining before the cut-off date, and in the first half of next year.

But is it too little too late? Only time will tell…

Goplasticpallets.com – The Responsible Plastic Pallet Company stocks the UK’s largest range of plastic pallets, with more than 29 varieties suitable for export consignments. For expert advice, call the team on +44 (0)1323 744057 or email sales@goplasticpallets.com