Resources
Plastic pallet glossary
Sixteen industry terms explained in plain English — the vocabulary that makes spec conversations productive instead of confusing.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
The thermoplastic polymer used in virtually all commercial-grade plastic pallets. Offers chemical resistance, dimensional stability, impact resistance, and 100% recyclability. FDA-compliant grades are standard for food-contact and pharmaceutical applications.
Edge-Rack Load Rating
The load a pallet can hold across an unsupported horizontal rack beam — typically a 42–48 inch span. Distinct from static and dynamic load ratings. The critical spec when buying a rackable plastic pallet.
Static Load Rating
The maximum load a pallet can hold when resting on a flat, fully supported surface — typically the floor. Static ratings are higher than dynamic or edge-rack ratings.
Dynamic Load Rating
The load a pallet can hold while being moved by a forklift or pallet jack. Typically 40–60% of the static rating depending on pallet design.
ISPM-15
The international phytosanitary standard for wood-packaging material. Requires heat treatment or fumigation of wood pallets for international shipping. Plastic pallets are not regulated under ISPM-15 — they are treatment-exempt.
Selective Rack
The most common form of warehouse pallet racking. Each pallet position is independently accessible. Pallets rest on beam pairs separated by 42–48 inches of unsupported span, which is why edge-rack load ratings matter.
Drive-In Rack
High-density pallet racking where forklifts drive into the bay to place pallets on continuous rails. Demands pallets with full-length runners (typically 5-runner plastic pallet designs) to prevent pallet collapse between rails.
Push-Back Rack
Pallet-flow rack where pallets nest on rails and push back into the bay. Demands pallets with precision bottom-runner geometry to mate with flow-rail spacing.
Nestable Pallet
A plastic pallet designed so empty units stack compactly — typically 75% volume reduction when empty. Built for one-way or closed-loop distribution where empty-return freight is a line item.
Rackable Pallet
A plastic pallet engineered to hold its stated edge-rack load across an unsupported rack beam span. Reinforced with perimeter ribs and often steel or fiberglass rods.
Stackable Pallet
A plastic pallet designed for floor and block storage where pallets stack one atop another. Features reinforced top decks and perimeter rails that transfer load between tiers, not through product.
Gaylord Box
Industry shorthand for a corrugated or plastic bulk container, typically 45×48×34 inches. Replaces wood-frame bulk bins and paper sacks. Our plastic gaylord replacements offer collapsible variants that cut empty-return freight 70%.
Bulk Container
Any large plastic container designed to replace gaylord boxes, wood-frame bulk bins, or FIBC super-sacks. Includes rigid and collapsible variants, with payloads from 1,500 to 2,500 lb.
Closed-Loop Program
A distribution model where pallets, containers, or crates are reused over multiple shipping cycles — typically with empty-return freight as part of the program. Plastic’s durability and hygiene make closed-loop programs the highest-ROI use case.
FDA 21 CFR 177.1520
The US federal regulation defining HDPE for direct food contact. Plastic pallets molded from virgin HDPE grades compliant with this regulation are FDA-food-safe.
FM 4996 / FM Global
FM Global’s fire-protection standard for plastic pallets in sprinkler-protected warehouses. FM-approved plastic pallet configurations allow sprinkler-system designers to treat plastic pallets as equivalent to wood for fire-protection calculations.
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