European Businesses Reusing More Wooden Pallets
European pallet and packaging manufacturers are repairing more wooden pallets for reuse than ever , according to a survey by the European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers ( FEFPEB ).
The latest figures from the organization , show that 197.5 million pallets were repaired in 2019 , an increase of 25 percent from the previous survey carried out three years earlier .
In countries that are running formal packaging surveys – such as France , the Netherlands , and the UK – pallet repairs are generally equal to or exceed , the numbers for new pallet production . Some 435.9 million pallets were manufactured during the same three-year period , an increase of 12 percent on FEFPEB ’ s 2016 study . Accordingly , the organization estimates the European total to be closer to 500 million .
These figures do not yet include repairs to pallets in several of FEFPEB ’ s 18 member countries and there are also significant numbers of pallets inspected and reused every year without needing to be repaired .
The figures also show an increase in the use of industrial and lightweight packaging , growing by 8.5 and 14 per cent , respectively , between 2016 and
2019 .
FEFPEB President Rob van Hoesel said : “ We are encouraged by the results of FEFPEB ’ s latest manufacture and repair survey , as they show not only an increase in the use of all kinds of wooden packaging , but also a welcome growth in reuse and repair of these products . Wooden pallets and packaging have a key role to play in reducing the carbon footprint of businesses and establishing true sustainability in supply chains .
“ Awareness about the need for action on climate change has increased , so we can expect demand for environment-friendly business solutions such as wooden pallets and packaging to increase in the months ahead . I will be interested to see the impact of this on our manufacturing and repair figures for the three years ahead .”
At FEFPEB ’ s 2019 AGM , Van Hoesel called for the pallet and packaging industry to target sourcing 100 per cent of its timber from certified sources , such as PEFC and FSC , to further increase its strong environmental credentials .
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26 WESTERN PALLET