The Timber Packaging and Pallet Federation (Timcon) has reopened the debate over timber vs plastic in pallet manufacture.
TIMCON added its voice to the international debate over the use of plastic pallets in response to publicity released by plastics manufacturers in the US during the past month.
TIMCON president John Dye, who was recently appointed international director of the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) in the US, said some plastic pallet manufacturers had now added deca-bromine to their products as a fire retardant after fears over fire safety.
“We need to clarify absolutely the benefits of timber pallets and packaging for users and potential users in supply chains across the world,” said Mr Dye. “There are significant misunderstandings of both the disadvantages of using plastic and the considerable advantages of using timber.”
The NWPCA said some studies have suggested products that contain deca-bromine can leach, making them potentially unsafe for use in food chains, or dangerous to the environment.
The organisation is also arguing that timber pallets are more versatile, easily repairable, simple to recycle and up to six times cheaper than plastic.
