New building block for chemical logistics

Safety plays a crucial role in the logistics of the chemical industry and it is critical if chemical pallets do not meet the high quality standards. In the past, increasing price pressure and the lack of independent quality assurance have sometimes led to chemical pallets not meeting the requirements for the safe transportation of chemical products.

ISPM 15 - Safety for export

Safety is also important for exports: all wooden packaging that touches the ground in a country outside the EU must be treated in accordance with the ISPM 15 standard and bear IPPC stamps. Without the prescribed heat treatment, neither the wooden pallet nor the goods transported on it will be allowed into the country. This prevents the introduction of wood pests and protects the forest stands. The EPAL quality standards naturally include treatment in accordance with ISPM 15, which means that all EPAL CP pallets are treated in accordance with the ISPM 15 standard and are suitable for the worldwide movement of goods.

"I am delighted that EPAL has been able to meet user requirements and add an important new component to the existing quality timber load carriers."

Martin Leibrandt CEO of EPAL

The chemistry is right

In mid-November 2017, the European Pallet Association invited the trade press and representatives of the chemical industry to an international press conference in Düsseldorf under the motto "The chemistry is right" and presented the nine prototypes of the new EPAL CP pallets. Martin Leibrandt, CEO of EPAL: "I am delighted that EPAL has been able to meet user requirements and add an important new component to the existing quality wooden load carriers. Now it's up to the users to also rely on independently tested quality, safety and ecology in the logistics chain of the chemical industry with their demand for EPAL CP pallets."

The CEO of EPAL estimates the volume of EPAL chemical pallets in Germany for 2018 at 19 million. In addition to Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France and Italy are also interested in the production of EPAL CP pallets. There is also potential in markets where EPAL is not yet active, such as the USA, Canada and large parts of Scandinavia. From January 2018, CP pallets can be produced worldwide under an EPAL license in accordance with EPAL's technical regulations.

Success with a strong brand

Redefined: Chemical pallets with the EPAL seal of quality.

The continuous growth rates since August 2013, when the "EPAL in an oval" brand was branded on all four blocks, show that EPAL as a pallet organization is on the right track with the concept of independently quality-tested pallets.

2017 was another record year for EPAL: with 115.8 million EPAL pallets produced and repaired, a whopping increase of almost ten percent was achieved compared to the previous year. The pure production figures rose to 88.3 million EPAL pallets and the repair figures to 27.5 million. To ensure that "EPAL in the Oval" remains a strong brand, EPAL prosecutes infringements of trademark rights under criminal and civil law. The association works with customs authorities, police and lawyers in various countries to prevent the import and marketing of counterfeit EPAL Euro pallets at source.

Advantages of the EPAL system

The EPAL system with its three pillars of uniform international standardization, independent quality assurance and the safeguarding and tracking of trademark rights guarantees users high-quality load carriers for functioning global logistics. EPAL Euro pallets are reusable and can be repaired at low cost, thus conserving natural resources.

Andrea Engels