Safety Differences Between Heat-Treated and Chemically Treated Pallets
When businesses select pallets for shipping and storage, safety is one of the most important considerations. This is especially true for companies in distribution, retail, agriculture, food handling, and manufacturing. Wooden pallets often undergo treatment to prevent pests, mold, and contamination, especially for international shipping. The two major types of treatments are heat treatment and chemical treatment, and understanding their differences helps businesses make informed decisions for safer operations.
In high-volume shipping regions such as Surrey, Richmond, and the broader Lower Mainland, Canada, choosing the safest type of pallet can protect workers, prevent product damage, and ensure regulatory compliance. This detailed guide compares heat-treated pallets and chemically treated pallets, highlighting safety, environmental impact, longevity, and common business applications.
What Are Heat-Treated Pallets?
Heat-treated pallets undergo a specific process where the wood is heated to a defined temperature to eliminate insects and contaminants.
How the Heat Treatment Process Works
During heat treatment, pallets are placed in a kiln or chamber and heated until the core of the wood reaches approximately 56°C for a minimum of 30 minutes. This removes pests, larvae, and other biological threats without using chemicals.
Benefits of Heat-Treated Pallets
Heat-treated pallets offer many advantages that contribute to their widespread use:
- Safe for food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical handling
- No chemical residue or exposure risk
- Environmentally friendly process
- Accepted internationally for export shipping
- Longer lifespan due to reduced internal moisture
- No odor, toxins, or harmful vapors
These qualities make heat-treated pallets a reliable choice for industries seeking safe, clean, and sustainable wood pallet options.
What Are Chemically Treated Pallets?
Chemically treated pallets use pesticides or preservatives to protect wood from pests and decay. Historically, treatments such as methyl bromide were common, especially for international shipments.
How Chemical Treatment Works
Chemical treatments involve fumigation or pressure-treating the wood with chemical solutions. These chemicals penetrate the wood to kill insects and bacteria and prevent future infestations.
Risks of Chemically Treated Pallets
Chemical treatments raise several concerns:
- Chemical residues may remain in the wood
- Can be unsafe for food and pharmaceutical shipments
- Risk of vapors affecting warehouse workers
- Environmental concerns due to toxic emissions
- Must follow strict handling and disposal rules
Because of these issues, many industries are shifting away from chemically treated pallets and opting for safer alternatives.
Safety Comparison: Heat-Treated vs Chemically Treated Pallets
Safety is one of the primary reasons businesses choose heat-treated pallets over chemically treated ones. Here’s a breakdown of safety-related differences.
Worker and Product Safety
Heat-treated pallets do not contain harmful substances. They protect workers from chemical exposure and protect products from contamination. Chemically treated pallets can pose risks if not properly documented or used in the correct applications.
Risk of Odor and Irritation
Heat-treated pallets do not produce fumes or strong odors. Chemically treated pallets may emit vapors or retain smells that can affect certain goods or warehouse environments.
Handling and Disposal
Heat-treated pallets are easy to recycle, repair, and dispose of without fear of toxic chemical release. Chemical pallets often require controlled disposal to avoid environmental damage.
Regulatory Differences Between Heat Treatment and Chemical Treatment
International shipping guidelines mandate strict requirements for exporting wood products.
ISPM-15 Requirements
Heat-treated pallets comply fully with ISPM-15 regulations, which are necessary for shipping goods across borders. Chemically treated pallets must also meet ISPM-15 rules, but fumigation with chemicals like methyl bromide is considered more hazardous and heavily restricted.
Border and Customs Compliance
Many countries prefer heat-treated pallets because of the lower environmental and health risks. Chemically treated pallets may face more inspection delays or rejection in some regions.
Environmental Impact of Heat-Treated vs Chemically Treated Pallets
Environmental sustainability is important to many businesses today.
Heat Treatment Environmental Benefits
- No toxic emissions
- Reduced risk of contamination
- Fully recyclable
- Lower environmental footprint
Chemical Treatment Environmental Concerns
- Chemicals may leach into soil or water
- Fumigation chemicals contribute to air pollution
- Disposal must be closely monitored
Heat-treated pallets are the clear winner for eco-conscious operations, especially for businesses in cities like Burnaby that prioritize sustainability.
How Treatment Methods Affect Pallet Durability
Treatment type influences how long a pallet lasts and how well it performs over time.
Heat-Treated Pallet Durability
Heat-treated pallets often last longer because heat reduces internal moisture, strengthening the wood structure. They resist mold and decay more effectively and hold up well under repeated use.
Chemically Treated Pallet Durability
While chemical treatments protect against pests, they do not necessarily make the wood stronger. Over time, chemically treated pallets may dry out excessively, reducing longevity.
When Should You Choose Heat-Treated Pallets?
Heat-treated pallets are the preferred choice for:
- Export shipments
- Food distribution
- Pharmaceuticals
- Agriculture
- Retail goods
- Sensitive products
They are safe, clean, reliable, and universally accepted across shipping and warehouse industries in the Lower Mainland, Canada.
When Are Chemically Treated Pallets Still Used?
Chemically treated pallets are less common today but may still be used for:
- Specific industrial applications
- Regions with high pest risks
- Controlled environments where chemical residue is not a concern
Even in these cases, most businesses still prefer heat-treated options due to safety and compliance benefits.
How to Identify Heat-Treated vs Chemically Treated Pallets
Markings on pallets indicate which treatment was used.
Heat-Treated Markings (HT)
Heat-treated pallets are stamped with an HT symbol, indicating compliance with ISPM-15.
Chemically Treated Markings (MB)
Chemically treated pallets may be stamped with MB, indicating methyl bromide fumigation. These pallets should be used cautiously and never for food-related use.
Stock Your Warehouse with the Best Pallets
Businesses seeking safer pallet options rely on suppliers who understand industry standards. AR Pallets LTD offers durable, compliant heat-treated pallets suitable for all major industries. Located at 12213 Industrial Rd, Surrey, BC V3V 3S1, Canada, AR Pallets LTD provides strong and reliable pallet solutions with customer-first service. You can call (604) 367-7884 or email info.arpallets@gmail.com to arrange orders, ask technical questions, or request guidance on choosing the safest pallet type for your operations.
Heat-treated pallets are generally much safer than chemically treated pallets, both for workers and for the products being transported. Heat treatment eliminates pests without toxic chemicals, making it ideal for industries that demand clean and contaminant-free handling. Chemically treated pallets remain useful in limited industrial applications, but they pose potential health and environmental risks that many businesses seek to avoid.
By understanding the differences between heat-treated and chemically treated pallets, companies can make informed decisions that protect workers, safeguard goods, and support environmental responsibility. For businesses across warehouse and logistics sectors, heat-treated pallets remain the preferred choice for safety, strength, and regulatory compliance.
