How Strong Are Paper Pallets ? Paper Pallet Load Capacity Explained

Paper pallets can be designed to support substantial loads, but there is no single load-capacity figure that applies to every paper pallet.

The strength of an Eltete Paper Pallet can be influenced by its construction, PallRun® configuration, deck-board material, pallet dimensions and the requirements of the application. Eltete states that the number of cores inside each PallRun® can be customised according to the required strength.

In independent laboratory testing published by Eltete, one 4-way carton pallet configuration reached up to 10,000 kg of static compression strength without failure. This is a test result for the stated configuration and should not be interpreted as the load capacity of every Eltete Paper Pallet.

Q – What Is Paper Pallet Load Capacity?

A – Paper pallet load capacity refers to the amount of load that a particular pallet configuration is designed to support under specified conditions.

For Eltete Paper Pallets, strength is not based on the deck board alone.

A complete pallet may combine:

– PallRun® pallet runners
– Paper cores inside the runners
– Corrugated board
– Honeycomb Board
– Flatboard
– Different runner arrangements
– 2-way or 4-way configurations

Eltete’s Paper Pallet documentation states that the appropriate top-board material can be selected according to the application, while the number of cores within each PallRun® can be customised according to the strength required.

This means paper pallet strength needs to be considered as a complete structural system rather than only by looking at the fact that the pallet is made from paper-based material.

Q – How Strong Are Eltete Paper Pallets?

A – Eltete describes its Paper Pallets as using strong laminated carton-board feet and states that they have the capacity to support loads measured in several tons, depending on the construction.

The strongest published evidence in Eltete’s Paper Pallet brochure comes from independent laboratory testing.

According to the brochure:

A 4-way pallet achieved up to 10,000 kg static compression strength without failure during testing.

However, this figure is important to interpret correctly.

It does not mean that every Eltete Paper Pallet has a standard 10,000 kg load capacity.

The test refers to a particular 4-way pallet configuration under static compression conditions. Different pallet designs, loading situations and handling conditions can require different specifications.

For SEO and technical accuracy, this distinction is important.

Instead of saying:

“Eltete Paper Pallets can carry 10,000 kg.”

The more accurate statement is:

“In independent laboratory testing published by Eltete, one 4-way carton pallet configuration reached up to 10,000 kg static compression strength without failure.”

Q – Where Does the Strength of an Eltete Paper Pallet Come From?

A – A key element of Eltete Paper Pallet construction is PallRun®.

PallRun® is a 100% recyclable carton-board pallet foot consisting of compact carton-board U-profiles combined with stabilising paper cores.

Eltete explains that its Paper Pallet strength is concentrated significantly in the pallet feet. The PallRun® construction combines laminated U-profiles with a kraftliner surface and paper cores.

The resulting structure provides the supporting foundation underneath the pallet deck.

Q – How Does PallRun® Affect Paper Pallet Strength?

A – The internal configuration of PallRun® can be changed according to the strength required.

Eltete’s official Paper Pallet documentation specifically states that:

The number of cores per PallRun® is customised according to required strength.

This is one of the reasons there is no universal Paper Pallet load-capacity figure.

A pallet intended for one load does not necessarily need to use exactly the same runner construction as a pallet designed for another application.

PallRun® itself is described by Eltete as having a strong solid-board structure and being suitable for supporting heavy loads.

Q – Does the Paper Pallet Deck Affect Strength?

A – Yes.

The deck board is another important part of the complete Paper Pallet structure.

Eltete states that different materials can be selected according to the application, including:

– Corrugated board
– Honeycomb Board
– Other suitable materials

Eltete’s Honeycomb Board uses a hexagonal inner cellular structure and is described by the company as providing compression strength and rigidity suitable for high-load and heavy-duty packaging applications.

The choice of deck board therefore forms part of the overall pallet specification.

Q – Can Flatboard Increase Paper Pallet Support?

A – Flatboard can also be incorporated into an Eltete Paper Pallet construction.

Eltete specifically states in its Paper Pallet brochure that Flatboard gives strength and makes roll-conveyor use possible.

This is important because pallet design needs to consider not only the load itself but also how the pallet will be handled throughout the logistics process.

A pallet that will move through a roll-conveyor system can therefore require a different construction from a pallet intended for another handling method.

Q – Does 2-Way or 4-Way Design Affect Paper Pallet Construction?

A – Eltete Paper Pallets are available in both 2-way and 4-way configurations.

Its official brochure illustrates 800 × 1200 mm examples in both configurations and also shows alternative runner arrangements.

The required configuration can be selected according to the customer’s application and handling requirements.

Eltete also states that Paper Pallets can be manufactured according to customer need rather than being restricted to only one fixed pallet format.

Q – Are Paper Pallets Suitable for Heavy Loads?

A – Eltete’s published information demonstrates that paper-based pallet construction can be developed for demanding load requirements.

The Paper Pallet brochure describes the pallet as having the capacity to handle several tons, while the independent static-compression test documented by Eltete reached 10,000 kg on one tested 4-way configuration without failure.

PallRun® is also described as having strength to support heavy loads.

However, the correct question for a heavy-load application is not simply:

“Can a paper pallet carry a heavy product?”

It should be:

“What Paper Pallet construction is required for this particular load and handling application?”

Eltete’s documentation supports a tailor-made approach in which pallet dimensions, runner configuration, number of cores and deck-board material can be selected according to the application.

Q – Does a Strong Paper Pallet Have to Be Heavy?

A – Not necessarily.

Eltete’s Paper Pallet brochure highlights both strength and lightweight construction as characteristics of its carton pallets.

In Eltete’s published comparison, a carton pallet is approximately:

3–6 kg

compared with approximately:

15–25 kg for a wooden pallet.

The exact weight of an Eltete Paper Pallet depends on its individual construction.

Eltete also provides an air-freight example comparing an average carton pallet of approximately 5 kg with a wooden pallet of approximately 20 kg.

This shows why pallet strength and pallet weight should be assessed separately.

A lighter pallet construction does not automatically indicate the strength capability of the complete engineered pallet.

Q – Can Paper Pallet Strength Be Customised?

A – Yes.

Customisation is one of the core features presented in Eltete’s official Paper Pallet material.

Eltete can customise:

– Pallet size
– Pallet height
– Runner arrangement
– Number of PallRun® cores
– Deck-board material
– 2-way or 4-way configuration

For automatic production, Eltete’s brochure lists deck-board dimensions from 400 mm up to 1,200 mm, while manual assembly can be produced as required.

PallRun® dimensions shown in the same Paper Pallet brochure include a width of 90 mm, height of 100 mm and lengths from 200 to 1,200 mm.

These options allow the pallet structure to be adapted around the transport requirement.

Q – What Factors Should Be Considered When Selecting Paper Pallet Load Capacity?

A – Rather than selecting a Paper Pallet based on one maximum-load number, the complete packaging and handling requirement should be considered.

For an Eltete Paper Pallet, relevant design variables documented by the company include:
– Required strength
– Number of PallRun® cores
– Deck-board material
– Pallet dimensions
– Pallet height
– 2-way or 4-way construction
– Roll-conveyor requirements
– Customer-specific pallet requirements

This is why a custom-designed Paper Pallet can be more appropriate than applying one standard specification to every shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paper Pallet Load Capacity

Q – How much weight can a paper pallet hold?

A – There is no single load capacity for every Eltete Paper Pallet because the pallet can be customised according to the required strength. Eltete reports that independent laboratory testing reached up to 10,000 kg of static compression strength on one tested 4-way pallet without failure.

Q – Can a paper pallet carry several tons?

A – Eltete describes its Paper Pallet as having the capacity to handle several tons, depending on its construction.

Q – Is every Eltete Paper Pallet rated for 10,000 kg?

A – No. The 10,000 kg figure published by Eltete relates to a specific 4-way pallet tested under static compression conditions. It should not be applied as the capacity of every Paper Pallet configuration.

Q – What makes an Eltete Paper Pallet strong?

A – Eltete identifies PallRun® pallet feet as a key structural component. PallRun® combines laminated carton-board profiles with paper cores, and the number of cores can be customised according to the required strength.

Q – Can Honeycomb Board be used for heavy-duty Paper Pallets?

A – Eltete lists Honeycomb Board as one of the available deck-board materials for its Paper Pallets. Eltete also describes its Honeycomb Board as having compression strength and rigidity suitable for high-load and heavy-duty packaging applications.

Q – Can Paper Pallet load capacity be customised?

A – Eltete states that Paper Pallets can be manufactured according to customer need and that PallRun® core configuration can be adjusted according to the required strength.

Q – Are strong Paper Pallets heavy?

A – Not necessarily. Eltete’s own comparison places its carton pallet at approximately 3–6 kg compared with approximately 15–25 kg for the wooden pallet used in its comparison. Actual pallet weight depends on the specification.

Choosing the Correct Eltete Paper Pallet

Paper pallet load capacity should be matched to the actual transport and handling requirement rather than selected from a single universal figure.

Eltete Paper Pallets can combine different deck boards, PallRun® configurations, dimensions and 2-way or 4-way layouts. The number of internal PallRun® cores can also be adjusted according to required strength.

Independent testing published by Eltete demonstrates the potential strength of this type of construction, with one 4-way carton pallet configuration reaching up to 10,000 kg static compression strength without failure.

For this reason, companies considering a Paper Pallet should determine the required pallet specification based on their particular product, load and handling conditions.

Contact Eltete Malaysia to discuss a Paper Pallet configuration according to your required strength, dimensions and handling application.