November 22, 2024
Whether you work in a factory, warehouse, or manufacturing plant, you have probably used pallets to move products around more easily and efficiently. But in order to protect and secure these items, proper palletization is usually required. While plastic is often used for this purpose, there is an alternative to using plastic films with pallets — a pallet adhesive.What Are Pallet Adhesives?
Pallet adhesives, sometimes called palletizing adhesives, are special adhesives designed to create more uniform layers and provide more stability to pallets by securely holding products in place during storage or the shipping process. They can be sprays, liquids, or dry adhesive sheets depending on the type of pallet adhesive being used.
Palletizing adhesives can help reduce the risk of products shifting or falling that can lead to both safety concerns as well as damaged goods. For businesses, they can make the handling of pallets easier and more efficient.
Pallet Adhesive Applications
Because pallets can be used to carry different types of products, pallet adhesive glues are generally formulated to work on a variety of substrates, such as gluing cardboard, plastic, or metal. As a result, pallet adhesive use is common in a wide range of industries including with:
- Consumer goods
- Food and beverage products
- Automotive parts
- Pharmaceuticals
- Textiles and apparel
The Benefits of Pallet Adhesives vs. Plastic Stretch Wrap
While both plastic films and pallet adhesives can be used to secure pallets, there are some distinct benefits of using pallet adhesives over plastic stretch wrap.
Environmental Impact
Many consumers are looking for brands that are environmentally conscious, and many companies are looking to be more environmentally friendly. Plastic films and the cardboard layers often used with them can be difficult to recycle and are often a major source of waste. On the other hand, pallet glues tend to be the more environmentally friendly choice and usually a little can go a long way. There are even biodegradable hot melt adhesives now available on the market that are designed to break down into nontoxic residues for companies wanted to go the extra mile.
Damaged Goods
Plastic wraps can be stretchy and may still lead to shifting during transit, especially when it comes to working with goods that are not uniform in shape or that are stacked at steep angles. They can also lead to fiber tearing when unpacking that can ruin the aesthetic of the product.
When applied correctly, palletizing adhesive products are designed to reduce or eliminate these issues. They can hold products securely in place but not leave behind any residue when removed.
Production Time
Applying stretch films and cardboard layers often involves some amount of manual labor that can take a fair amount of time depending on the process. Even wrapping machines can add another step to the production process that ultimately slows it down. Applying pallet hot melt adhesives can usually be easily incorporated into an automated production process to not only decrease production time but also simplify the production process and increase efficiency.
Cost Savings
Switching from plastic films to palletizing adhesives may also save your business money. Although they may be cheaper upfront, the cost of using stretch wrap, slip sheets, cardboard layers, plastic wrap, and airbags can all quickly add up. Especially when you take into account their storage and disposal costs. Not to mention the fact that more material is often needed for the same level of security and if you do not use enough, the cost of damaged goods is steep.
While pallet stabilization adhesives may be more expensive upfront, they can eliminate associated costs like storage, recycling, and added manpower needed for application. They can also help to reduce the amount of damaged goods as well as downtime needed to resolve these issues — both a drain on company finances. After a while, the return on investment can be significant.
Need Help?
Pallet adhesives offer a powerful alternative to traditional plastic-based wrapping methods. If you are thinking about making the switch from plastic films to an adhesive pallet wrapping solution, we want to help. Contact us today to speak with one of our adhesive experts. They can help you determine what the best pallet adhesive is for your application, production process, and budget.
