Mega retailer IKEA has told TTJ that all its suppliers in Europe are now delivering using a paper-based pallet rather than traditional timber ones.
Its policy of switching to lighter material pallets in Europe, effective from January 1, follows a similar move implemented with IKEA’s suppliers in Asia Pacific.
TIMCON said IKEA’s decision was of concern to all forest-based industries, since pallets and packaging use 25% of sawn timber output in the UK. “If the timber pallets market is affected, it will significantly impact on the economics and the sustainability of this system as a whole,” said Timcon spokesperson Gil Covey.
“Saying goodbye to wooden pallets means that we have to make many changes throughout our entire supply chain, starting with product design and development,” an IKEA spokesperson told TTJ.
“As this is a gradual process, wooden pallets will be phased out over time [across all regions]. Of course, we will learn a lot during this transition, but we are committed to this change.”
IKEA said its aim in switching to paper pallets and plastic loading ledges was to lower costs and create a more sustainable business with less impact on the environment.
It said a paper pallet was 10 times lighter than a timber pallet, while being able to support the same load – 750kg. IKEA also highlighted the paper product’s increasing filling rates and minimising the return of empty pallets.
The elimination of returning empty timber pallets (paper ones are pulped)
from stores and distribution centres to suppliers is expected to take away 50,000 trucks annually from roads.
In Europe, the majority of paper pallets are being bought from Poland or the Czech Republic.
TIMCON urged IKEA to work with the timber industry to ascertain the wider impact of its decision on the environment and forest-based industries.
“Crucially, wood is by far the most important material to the IKEA, added Mr Covey.
“ However, taking, and then publicising, decisions such as this could have hugely damaging consequences for the very sector that provides IKEA’s material.
