Smart solution for sustainable logistics

Pallet dimensions

There are three dimension of pallets available:

The manufacturing method and the materials used guarantee that the dimensions and weight are maintained; an important feature  for the  pallets used in automated processes of storage, picking and transport of cargo. The pallets are durable and resistant to atmospheric factors usually associated with their exploitation. Pallets can be washed and disinfected.

Properties

Pallets are made of polypropylene copolymer using structural injection technology assuring a robust product, allowed to be used for manufacturing process, storage and transport of foodstuffs and packaged pharmaceuticals in accordance with EU and US requirements – PZH Certificate.

The load capacity of AGP pallets is comparable to their counterparts, both wooden and plastic, available on the market. The pallets meet the requirements set out in the ISO-8611 standard.

The weight of the AGP pallet is significantly lower than that of a wooden pallet: while a wooden EURO pallet weighs about 25 kg, the corresponding size, the AGP-S pallet, weighs about 11.7 kg and, like a wooden pallet, can be used for storing goods in high storage racks. The wooden-metal pallet DHP, with a load plate size of 800 × 600, weighs about 9 kg. The corresponding pallet, AGP-H, weighs 3.3 kg. See the technical specifications for more details.

Nesting – advantages for storage and transport

The design of AGP pallets allows them to be nested, saving space when stored or transported “empty”. The supports - legs of the pallet positioned above - fit into holes - sockets - in the load-bearing plate of the pallet below in the stack. The space savings compared to non-nested pallets is about 30%, which finds reflection in transport costs.

Pallets allowing nesting within one dimension are not new in the market. A unique feature of the AGP solution is the possibility to nest pallets of different sizes of carrier plate. AGP- S pallet can nest pallets of sizes S, H and Q.  AGP-H pallet, nests H and Q.

The AGP-S pallet, which is suitable for use with a forklift truck or pallet jack, can be used as a platform for “half-pallets” and “quarter-pallets”, enabling safe, efficient, and time-saving order picking, transfer of loaded pallets to vehicles and unloading them at destination.

Pallet identification and circulation

The pallets are designed for close loop circulation. Identification of each individual pallet makes it possible to manage the flow of pallets and the loads they carry. The solution does not limit itself to identifying the type of pallet, but indicates the specific item with its associated attributes, e.g. its identification number, and further: its dimensions, weight, lifting capacity. In connection with the User's warehouse system, it is possible to create e.g. storage or delivery location, hygienic status, sorting by addresses or planned delivery dates, etc.; the catalogue of attributes and statuses depends solely on the User's needs and on the capabilities of the IT systems, e.g. WMS or TMS, used by the User. All Green Pallets are ready for use in IoT (Internet of Things) systems.

Each pallet is equipped with four tags, which allow to identify each pallet using optical techniques: BAR CODE, QR CODE and radio - RFID. Pallets can also be equipped with active radio tags. The coding method applied is compliant with the GRAI standard in GS-1 and registered in this organization.

Thanks to identification, AGP pallets can be efficiently and safely exchanged between Users. The risk of not being able to identify the source of damaged pallets when exchanging them has been, if not eliminated, then at least significantly reduced.

Process automation, health and safety, cost efficiency

The quality and durability of construction, as well as the repeatability of dimensions and weight of particular types of AGP pallets allow them to be used in systems involving automation of load picking, storage and transport processes. The weight of the heaviest of the range: the AGP-S pallet does not exceed 12 kg, staying within acceptable limit for carrying objects by women. Unlike wooden pallets, AGP pallets do not get soaked: they can be washed and disinfected. Identification allows for the automation of data collection and transmission activities throughout the supply chain process. The benefits of sharing resources are to be enjoyed by all participants in the system.

Transporting AGP pallets needs 30% less fuel than moving comparable number of wooden pallets. The ergonomics, safety, economic and organisational efficiency of working with AGP pallets stand out in comparison to solutions using traditional wooden pallets.

Ecology and sustainability

Most of us, when asked for an opinion on which packaging: paper or plastic, is more environmentally friendly, will most likely point to the former, explaining that: "paper decomposes faster than plastic". What resources and energy it takes to manufacture these packages, deliver them to the recipient, how much waste is produced, where does it go, what happens to it? Can the packaging be used more than once, can it be recycled or perhaps reconstituted at the end of its life? The results of studies that look at the life cycle of a product - Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) - are sometimes surprising.

Our analysis pallet carbon footprint comparison of the environmental impact of wooden and plastic pallets shows that producing and using AGP pallets results in carbon footprint three times smaller than that of producing and using wooden pallets. Worn or damaged AGP pallets can be remanufactured into new pallets using all the original raw material from the withdrawn items.

All Green Pallets are designed for intensive circulation. The specific design, color and unique ID number of the pallet help monitoring every item within the supply chain. The entity in charge of a particular pallet is fully responsible for ensuring that no pallets nor pallet parts end up in landfill. The system allows to get closer to the goal of the "zero waste" concept in practice and the way of accounting motivates users to use pallets properly respecting the environment.