Plastic or Metal Container?
An unbiased comparison between two types of products you might consider.
1. Lower Own Weight
Plastic pallet boxes are made of polypropylene, a sturdy but lightweight material. Thus, a plastic pallet container is several times lighter than a metal container of the same size and loading capacity. This means that your company will reduce its shipping costs, since transportation companies charge by volumetric weight.
2. Easier to Handle by Warehouse Employees
Plastic pallet containers are easier to load, unload and move around the warehouse. By comparison, metal containers are heavy, noisy and difficult to move. Also, there is the risk of injury if a metal container collapses or topples over close to your employees.
3. Space Saving
Many models of plastic pallet containers are foldable, reducing their own volume by 70%. This feature helps companies save costs on the return journey of the empty packages and make better use of the available space in warehouses. By contrast, metal containers have a lower folding ratio.
4. No Rusting and Damage by Temperature Variations
Plastic pallet containers can be shipped in any weather conditions or across oceans. They are impervious to rain, sleet, snow or salty sea water. Metal containers, on the other hand, may develop rust over time. Also, since metal expands and contracts at temperature variations, its structure may weaken to the point of developing visible cracks.
5. Atypical dimensions
In case of large, atypical dimensions, metal containers are the better option. They allow more flexibility and can be fitted with customized textile dunnage for the products.
6. Heavy loads with difficult handling
For weighty loads (>600Kg/m3), dry goods, which go through high temperatures or require unloading the containers by tilting, metal containers are easier to produce and more affordable.
