Plastic pallets in the news

Orbis Corp. receives Factory Mutual approval on new fire-retardant material free of deca-bromine
ORBIS will manufacture new reusable plastic pallets immediately

ORBIS Corporation received approval from Factory Mutual Insurance (FM) for a new fire-retardant material, free of deca-bromine, for use in its family of FM-approved, fire retardant pallets. Effective immediately, ORBIS Corporation will manufacture more than 20 pallets with the new FM-approved deca-bromine free additive. Included among those 20 pallets are the popular RackoCell, Stack’R and Structo-Cell offerings.

ORBIS has offered a family of FM-approved, fire-retardant pallets for use in specialized applications for nearly a decade. While deca-bromine has commonly been used in household items requiring flame retardancy, including plastic housings for television sets, insulation for wiring, furniture and fabrics, it has, as a chemical additive, come under scrutiny recently. Several states across the United States have ordered a phase-out ban on the material, to be completed no later than 2013.

“ORBIS is dedicated to developing solutions that work for companies across a variety of industries,” says Andrea Nottestad, marketing manager, consumer goods. “As deca-bromine comes under continued scrutiny, we are proud to offer the industry the first approved deca-bromine free solution for fire-retardant pallets.”

Polymer Solutions introduces one-piece hygienic plastic pallet
New pallet is designed for food, pharmaceutical and medical handling

Polymer Solutions International has introduced the ProStack One-Piece Hygienic Pallet, a new hygienic plastic pallet. The pallet is formed in a single piece to eliminate crevices and cavities that could potentially harbor bacteria, mold and other contaminants, making it ideal for food, pharmaceutical and medical applications.

Its see-through, open-grid top deck, smooth finish and flow-through design make sanitization and cleaning easy, while facilitating quality inspections.

“It’s critically important for companies in the food processing and pharmaceutical industries to ensure the purity of their ingredients and finished products,” notes Dan Kelly, President and CEO of Polymer Solutions. “That’s why we designed this pallet to be hygienic, easy-to-clean, durable and ideal for quality inspections.

Transporting and storing food and pharmaceuticals on hygienic plastic pallets, along with correct handling procedures, dramatically reduces the risk of contamination.”

The pallet measures 40 x 48 x 6.25 inches and is edge-rackable up to 2,200 pounds. It is available in two models: full perimeter picture frame or three-stringer. The pallet is rated for a 30,000 pound static load, or a 5,000 pound dynamic load. Four-way fork entry accommodates use with either forklifts or pallet jacks. All hygienic pallet models achieve the critical ergonomic benchmark of weighing less than 50 lbs. All models will weight just 45 to 48 pounds—8 to 10 percent lighter than competitors’ plastic pallets.

“The lighter weight is a critical feature because of OSHA requirements, and the resulting need to eliminate workplace injuries by reducing the amount of weight people need to handle while on the job,” Kelly continues. “Our engineering group achieved this through a painstaking design and testing process, allowing us to enhance racking strength and durability.”

Extremely durable, the pallet’s design contributes to cost reduction, adds Kelly. Cost savings are realized by increased cycles and longer life. Pallets don’t fail in a parking lot or in a warehouse—they fail in the production line, causing costly shut downs. A higher quality pallet translates directly to increased manufacturing efficiencies and a decrease in the cost-per-trip.

The pallets can be made from several material options depending upon customer requirements, including100% recyclable, FDA-approved high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP). They are also available with Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FM) approved grades of flame retardant, now with a Non-Deca Bromine Additive.

For further customization to meet individual application needs, the pallets may be ordered with grommets, hot-stamped logo or identification marks, and in black, medium blue or gray.