Pallet types
Presswood pallet: molded wood-fiber pallets
Reviewed
A presswood pallet is a one-piece pallet molded from wood fiber and resin under heat and pressure. It is nestable, has no nails, is exempt from ISPM 15 as processed wood, and comes in catalog sizes with dynamic ratings of about 750 to 2,500 lb; it is not intended for open-beam rack storage.
On this page
What is a presswood pallet?
Presswood (also pressed-wood or molded wood) pallets are made by molding wood fiber mixed with resin under heat and pressure. Litco, a US maker, calls its version Engineered Molded Wood and molds it at 350 °F. The result is a single molded piece with no nails that nests into the pallet below, so empty pallets stack densely for return or storage.
palletdesign.ai does not design presswood pallets. They are fixed catalog products made in molds. This page helps you compare them with a wood design.
Presswood blocks are a different product: composite blocks used under the deck of a conventional wood block pallet. See presswood blocks.
How presswood pallets are rated
Litco publishes several load grades for each footprint (manufacturer's figures):
| Footprint | Dynamic | Static |
|---|---|---|
| 20 x 24 in | 750 lb | 3,000 lb |
| 24 x 40 in | 2,500 lb | 7,500 lb |
| 42 x 42, 48 x 40, 48 x 42 in | 1,500 to 2,500 lb | 4,500 to 7,500 lb |
| 44 x 44, 45 x 45, 48 x 45 in | 2,000 to 2,500 lb | 6,000 to 7,500 lb |
| 600 x 800 and 1200 x 800 mm | 2,500 lb | 7,500 lb |
The 42 x 42 in comes in 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 and 2,500 lb dynamic grades, weighs 34 lb and nests at 4:1. Entry is 2-way for hand jacks and 4-way for forklifts. European presswood pallets on 1200 x 800 mm are sold with loads up to about 1,250 kg and weights under 12.5 kg.
When to use a presswood pallet
- Export: presswood is processed wood, so it is exempt from ISPM 15 and needs no treatment or stamp.
- One-way shipments where empty pallets must ship or store compactly: nesting makes freight cheap.
- Clean loads that should not touch nails or splinters.
- Standard footprints that match the catalog.
When not to use one
- Rack storage: the maker states they are not intended for open-beam racking.
- Custom sizes: there is no custom option; the mold sets the size.
- Wet service over long periods, unless the maker confirms suitability.
- Heavy loads above the catalog grades.
Presswood vs heat-treated wood pallet
| Presswood | Heat-treated wood | |
|---|---|---|
| ISPM 15 | Exempt | HT and mark required |
| Nesting | Yes, about 2.5:1 to 4:1 | No |
| Rackable | No | By design |
| Custom sizes | No | Yes |
| Weight, 48 x 40 class | About 25 to 35 lb | About 30 to 70 lb |
| Fasteners | None | Nails |
How to specify a presswood pallet
- Footprint from the catalog list.
- Load grade (dynamic rating in lb).
- Handling: forklift and hand-jack directions.
- Quantity and delivery; nested stack quantities.
- Confirm no rack storage in the supply chain.
If the load must be racked or the size is not in the catalog, a heat-treated wood stringer pallet is the usual alternative for export.
Questions
- Are presswood pallets ISPM 15 exempt?
- Yes. They are made of processed wood, which is exempt from ISPM 15 treatment and marking.
- Can presswood pallets be racked?
- No. The manufacturer states they are not intended for open-beam rack storage.
- How much weight can a presswood pallet hold?
- Catalog dynamic ratings run from about 750 to 2,500 lb depending on size and grade, with static ratings up to about 7,500 lb.