Movement in Transport remains one of the biggest challenges faced by logistics professionals. With over 750 million pallet journeys each year in the UK alone, it is estimated that 11% will arrive at the destination damaged.
Here, Rick Sellars, Sales Manager at Lindum Packaging, the UK’s leading expert on pallet stability and wrapping explores how correct wrapping materials and techniques could save unplanned costs, as well as reduce CO2 emissions and waste.
When it comes to the transportation of goods, particularly ones that are vulnerable, a stable pallet is essential. Incorrect packaging and pallet wrapping could result in pallet rejection and hidden costs for the manufacturer.
With an estimated 82.5 million pallet journeys arriving at their destination damaged each year, movement in transport (MIT) remains one of the toughest obstacles to overcome.
More than 60 million wooden pallets are produced every year in order to transport goods around the UK. In addition, 150,000 tonnes of pallet wrap is used annually to package the goods ready for transit, with more than 80% intended for consumer use.
During transit, palletised goods need to be robust enough to endure the journey, which isn’t always very smooth. Without adequate packaging, the overall stability of the products is compromised, which can lead to leakage and irreparable damage to the goods which can cost manufacturers thousands of pounds to rectify.
Besides cargo damage, pallet stability also poses a significant risk to health and safety. A recent study conducted by EUMOS found that on average, one person is injured or killed in UK/ EU every hour due to unsecured cargo.
Unstable pallets can also lead to dangerous situations arising in warehouses, especially in multi-storey facilities where there are strict rules in place to monitor the condition of all delivered pallets. If a pallet arrives at the facility with any damage, the goods will not be unloaded, production will be halted, and products will need to be repacked. This means additional transportation costs, frustration for all parties, and could damage the company’s reputation.
In addition to warehouse danger, further lorry transportation increases the risk of incidents. Almost a quarter of accidents involving a lorry are caused by shifting loads, which not only incurs extra cost but is also dangerous.
To achieve pallet stability, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it helps to understand the overall characteristics of the product, including its weight, shape, material, and size. This will help to determine an efficient stacking pattern.
For taller pallet stacks, such as narrow rectangular shaped pallets and Euro pallets, the centre of the mass tends to be further from the floor making the load more top heavy. This means the load is less stable, increasing the risk of movement and subsequent damage during transport.
Next, the material of the pallet should be considered. Using the right pallet material reduces your need for additional shipping materials. Plastic pallets are suitable for packages up to 1,500 pounds, whereas wooden pallets are more suitable for heavier items.
Finally, consider the type of packaging you are using. Incorrect wrapping could result in it ripping, therefore impacting the integrity of the products. Pallet wrap is most commonly made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), but it comes in different varieties depending on the characteristics of the package. For heavier packages, a heavy-duty NANO stretch film might be best to ensure the pallet remains stable.
Selecting the correct wrapping not only helps to mitigate the risk of movement in transport, but it also helps the environment. We estimate that the UK could save over 41 million kgs of plastic stretch film each year just by using suitable wrapping.
At Lindum Packaging, we specialise in plastic wrapping and understand the challenges companies face when transporting goods. That is why we created a unique, offsite solution to identify and solve any pallet stability issues.
We invested £250,000 in the creation of a dedicated Innovation Centre that replicates a company’s packing process and simulates real-world transportation stresses. The Innovation Centre in Lincolnshire complements our Mobile Test Lab, which we can take to our customers’ sites. Both premises have facilities to test and monitor pallets experiencing movement in transport. This allows us to identify any issues and advise on any necessary adjustments for safer, more secure and stable pallets, resulting in more cost-effective and sustainable logistics.
Whilst heavy goods vehicles remain the most efficient method of transport, incorrect packaging significantly impacts overall sustainability. Overpacking pallets or using incorrect film results in wastage and may not protect pallet integrity.
In addition, compromised integrity could result in damaged goods, which means more plastic usage, more transportation, and therefore higher emissions.
The mobile pallet stability test unit and Innovation Centre review the whole packaging and transporting process to highlight any issues. From there, we can advise customers on measures implemented to ensure products are transported effectively from the factory to the end user with no product wastage or stability issues.
In just six months, we managed to reduce plastic usage by 69% and save 320 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to removing 65 combustion vehicles off the road for one year.
By considering pallet stability, it is possible to mitigate movement in transport, ensure product integrity and reduce carbon emissions as we strive toward a net zero future.
