Everything You Need To Know About Euro Containers

The international logistics and supply chain management industry have been undergoing a quiet revolution for the past few decades. Nobody can deny the overwhelming dependence that the shipping industry still has over wooden pallets when it comes to transportation and storage. Having said that, plastic has gained universal appeal and widespread applications owing to its distinct advantages over their wooden counterparts.

Euro containers are one form of plastic storage boxes. In this blog, we will discuss the features and various benefits of using Euro containers.

What are Euro containers?

A Euro container is a stacking container or a versatile storage tray. It is also referred to as a Euro bin or Euro box. They are extensively used for storage as well as transportation at every stage of the supply chain. These containers are stackable so they are very easy to transport and store. They comprise of a tray which is made of plastic and sometimes comes equipped with lids. Since these containers are uniform in dimensions, they can be readily used in product handling and automated manufacturing. These containers are available in a large variety of sizes – ranging from a 20-liter capacity for smaller goods up to 172-liter capacities to accommodate very large industrial freight. Since they have lids, they can be covered and secured. These containers also come equipped with handles on both ends so they are easy to handle manually or transit efficiently. They are hard wearing, sturdy and made from recycled plastic. They are also available in a multitude of colors. Euro containers are alkaline and acid resistant. They are durable and light.

Why are they often referred to as KLT boxes?

Euro containers are also often referred to as KLT boxes. The abbreviation KLT is derived from the German word Kleinladungstrager which means a carrier that carries small loads. Any industrial stacking container that adheres to the VDA 4500 standard is known as a KLT box. VDA refers to the German Association of The Automotive Industry. While the standard was initially defined exclusively for the aforementioned industry, it has subsequently been adopted by the shipping and the manufacturing industry as well. The two most common dimensions for Euro containers are 400mmX300mm and 600mmX400mm. They can be readily stacked on Euro pallets that measure 1200mmX800mm.

What are the benefits of Euro containers?

Euro containers are stackable so they can be readily used in storage and transport.
They are ideal for automated manufacturing and product handling since they have uniform dimensions.
Since they are available in a large variety of sizes, they can be used to accommodate a wide range of freight.
Thanks to the incorporation of lids, goods can be adequately covered and secured.
They also come equipped with handles so they are easy to move around.
Since they are made from recycled plastic, they are good for the environment.
They are acid and alkaline resistant.
They are light, durable, sturdy and hard wearing.

As is clear from the above discussion, Euro containers have a host of advantages. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that more and more organizations are switching to them when it comes to their storage, transportation and shipping needs.

If you are looking for quality plastic pallets, containers or boxes at very reasonable prices, visit www.plasticpalletsltd.co.uk today.

Could Using Plastic Pallets Reduce Your Shipping Costs?

As far as logistics and supply chain management are concerned, wooden pallets have always been the darling of companies across multiple industries. When it comes to storage and transportation of goods, organizations have widely preferred wooden pallets for decades. While this still rings true for many businesses, a revolutionary innovation in this domain is the advent of plastic pallets. For some decades now, plastic has been rapidly replacing wood as the preferred material for a plethora of reasons.

In this blog, we will discuss why the use of plastic pallets reduces the shipping costs for companies.

No ISPM 15 certification required

If you are a business that imports or exports goods with the help of wooden pallets, you have to have ISPM 15 certification. Wood is a fervent breeding ground for all kinds of fungi and bacteria which leads to diseases and infections. To prevent this, international standards dictate that wood be treated with special chemicals so that they cannot be contaminated. Organizations that comply with these standards have to produce the proper documentation along with their goods both at the ports of exit and entry.

Adhering to these stringent standards is not only time consuming and labor intensive but also an expensive affair. Companies that use plastic instead of wood do not incur any such additional costs.

Long lasting

Plastic pallets cost more than wooden pallets. Having said that, they last much longer than wood. While on average wood will last around 3 life-cycles, plastic will serve for a significantly longer period of time.

When organizations perform their cost-benefit analysis, they quickly realize that in the long run, plastic outweighs wood when it comes to costs simply by virtue of its substantially higher lifespan.

Safe

Wooden pallets are notorious for their hygiene and safety issues. Prone to easy contamination by water, they quickly become hosts to bacteria and fungi that in turn leads to illnesses.
Besides hygiene, handling wooden pallets often prove hazardous to logistics personnel. Owing to the sharp metal and nails that are used to hold the wood together, people who handle the pallets often suffer injuries that may range from cuts, bruises or gashes to full blown accidents.

Diseases, illnesses or accidents are always financial headaches for any organization. Not only do they find themselves having to foot the bills of the afflicted but also have to ward off any potential lawsuits that may stem from the same.

Since plastic is hygienic and does not sport any sharp corners or edges, it greatly reduces the aforementioned financial woes of any company that is into import and export.

Easy to clean or wash

When you invest in plastic, you do not have to buy expensive special chemicals to treat the pallets when you want to wash them. Unlike wood, plastic can be readily cleaned with water sprayed from a hose. This saves significant costs for a company.

Stackable

One of the major problems with wooden pallets is that they occupy the same amount of space whether they are in use or not. Unlike wood, plastic pallets, when not in use, can be stacked one on top of the other. This reduces to a great extent the space that they occupy, especially inside a container when they are being shipped from one place to another. Less space means less area for which the company transporting its goods has to pay.

As is evident from our discussion, plastic pallets greatly reduce the costs of a company that uses them to store or transport their products. This is one of the most important reasons behind their universal appeal and applications.