Abstract
US demand to increase 2% annually through 2012
US demand for pallets is forecast to grow about two percent annually through
2012 to 670 million pallets. Pallets made from wood -- primarily lumber --
will continue to account for a dominant share of the US market, while plastic
pallets will experience the fastest gains in demand.
Plastic pallet demand to exceed 50 million in 2012
Demand for plastic pallets is projected to rise nearly five percent per year
to more than 50 million pallets in 2012. Pallet users are opting for plastic
pallets due to their durability. Plastic pallets are easy to clean, and meet
US and international phytosanitary requirements for shipping, making them
ideal for product shippers with neither the time nor resources to continually
sterilize pallets. Plastic pallets can last a long time without requiring
time-consuming repairs, and can be easily recycled once they have reached the
end of their product lifespan. Additionally, plastic pallets can possess
sufficient strength despite a weight much less than that made from other
materials, an important consideration to value-conscious long-distance
shippers.
Wood pallets are forecast to account for almost 90 percent of the market in
2012. However, demand for wood pallets is projected to rise at a rate just
below that of the market average, however. Demand gains will be restrained by
the growth of pallet refurbishing services, which repair distressed pallets by
removing damaged deckboards, blocks and stringers and replacing them with new
components.
These services prolong the lifespans of existing pallets, reducing demand for
new units. Environmental concerns about the waste generated by pallets will
also drive continued use of pallet refurbishing, as users seek to reduce the
environmental impact of pallet consumption by trying reuse and refit pallets,
rather than disposing of them at the earliest opportunity.
Study coverage
It presents historical demand data (1997 2002, 2007) plus forecasts for 2012
and 2017 by material, product and market. In addition, the study also assesses
market environment factors, evaluates company market share and profiles 39
competitors in the US industry.
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