Air freight packaging presents a different challenge from many other transport methods.
The packaging must protect the product throughout handling and transportation, but its own weight and dimensions also become part of the shipment.
Eltete Malaysia explains that air-freight charges are often affected by shipment weight and dimensions, making lightweight transport packaging particularly relevant for suitable air-cargo applications.
Manufacturers and exporters searching for air freight packaging in Malaysia can therefore benefit from evaluating not only the product being shipped, but also the weight, dimensions and structure of the packaging surrounding it.
Eltete Malaysia provides several paper-based Transport Packaging Solutions that can be considered for suitable air-freight applications, including:
– Paper Pallets
– Slip Sheets
– PallRun®
– AirCargoRunner
– Honeycomb Board
– The Box
– Edgeboard
– Customised protective components
Explore Eltete Malaysia Transport Packaging Solutions
Q – Why Does Packaging Weight Matter for Air Freight?
A – Packaging performs an essential protective role, but it also contributes to the complete shipment.
Eltete identifies packaging weight and volumetric dimensions among the considerations businesses should evaluate when preparing products for air freight.
The objective should therefore not simply be:
Use less packaging.
Instead, the goal should be:
Use the appropriate amount of packaging while maintaining the required protection and handling performance.
Eltete’s Transport Packaging Solutions approach is based on selecting packaging according to factors including the product, handling method, destination, strength requirements, available space and cost expectations.
This can allow companies to evaluate where unnecessarily heavy packaging components could potentially be replaced by lighter paper-based alternatives.
1. Paper Pallets for Air Freight
One option for companies currently using conventional pallets is an Eltete Paper Pallet.
Eltete describes its Paper Pallets as lightweight and identifies transportation savings, particularly for air freight, as one of their advantages.
According to Eltete’s published company information, its Paper Pallets typically weigh approximately 3–6 kg, compared with approximately 15–25 kg for wooden pallets in the comparison provided.
The exact weight varies according to the required pallet construction.
This difference can become significant when pallets are included in every outgoing shipment.
For example, an exporter sending multiple palletised loads by air is not only paying to transport the product.
The transported load also includes:
Product + Primary Packaging + Protective Packaging + Pallet + Securing Materials
Reducing the weight of an appropriate load carrier can therefore reduce the total weight of the packaged shipment.
When should a Paper Pallet be considered?
A Paper Pallet may be evaluated when businesses require:
– A lightweight load platform
– Conventional pallet-style handling
– Custom dimensions
– Paper-based transport packaging
– One-way export packaging
– An alternative to heavier pallet materials
The final pallet must still be selected according to the actual product weight, weight distribution, handling method and transportation requirements.
Learn more about Eltete Paper Pallets
2. Slip Sheets for Palletless Air Freight Handling
Companies looking to reduce the amount of material underneath a unit load can also consider Slip Sheets.
Eltete Slip Sheets are manufactured from laminated solid kraftliner and provide a palletless load-handling option for suitable applications.
Eltete connects Slip Sheet use with savings in:
– Transportation
– Packaging material
– Storage
– Logistics space
Because a Slip Sheet does not have the raised structure of a conventional pallet, it can provide a particularly compact load-support option.
However, a Slip Sheet is not simply a thinner pallet.
Compatible handling equipment and processes must be available.
For suitable operations, Slip Sheets may therefore provide an option when reducing:
Packaging weight + Packaging volume + Empty load-carrier storage
is a priority.
Explore Eltete Slip Sheets
3. The Box for Lightweight Air Freight Packaging
Large industrial products often require more protection than a standard corrugated carton.
Traditionally, this may involve plywood or other heavy packaging structures.
Eltete offers The Box, a paper-based transport packaging solution created using components including:
– Honeycomb Board
– Packaging profiles
– PallRun®
Eltete describes The Box as lightweight, easy to assemble and disassemble, easy to load and unload, recyclable and suitable as an alternative to plywood and similar boxes. It also specifically identifies air freight as a suitable application.
Because The Box can be tailored according to the required dimensions, the packaging structure can be developed around the product rather than simply adding unnecessary packaging material.
Discover Eltete The Box
4. AirCargoRunner for Air Cargo Platforms
Eltete also provides a more specialised solution developed specifically for air-cargo applications: AirCargoRunner (ACR).
AirCargoRunner is a lightweight supporting runner developed for air-cargo platforms including suitable PMC and ULD applications.
Eltete identifies several functions for AirCargoRunner.
It can help:
– Create a wider loading area
– Create a higher and more even loading arrangement
– Add supporting beam strength to suitable PMC structures
– Build lightweight platforms for returning empty air-cargo equipment
– Replace conventional wooden supporting bars in suitable applications
Eltete states that AirCargoRunner weighs approximately 1 kg per metre.
This makes AirCargoRunner particularly relevant when the optimisation challenge involves the air-cargo loading platform itself rather than only the individual package.
Read Eltete’s AirCargoRunner guide
For broader industry information about air-cargo Unit Load Devices, the International Air Transport Association provides information about the specifications, handling and control of ULDs:
Learn about Unit Load Devices from IATA
IATA develops specifications, recommendations and guidelines related to the manufacture, registration, handling, maintenance and control of Unit Load Devices.
5. Honeycomb Board for Lightweight Structural Protection
Reducing packaging weight cannot come at the expense of product protection.
One material Eltete uses within its Transport Packaging Solutions is Honeycomb Board.
Its cellular paper construction provides a lightweight structural material that can be incorporated into customised packaging.
Depending on the application, Honeycomb Board can be used for functions such as:
– Product separation
– Cushioning
– Internal support
– Weight distribution
– Side panels
– Protective structures
– Components within The Box
This means manufacturers can potentially build protection around the locations where it is actually required instead of increasing the weight of the entire package.
Explore Eltete Honeycomb Board
6. Protect Corners With Edgeboard
Air-freight packaging also needs to withstand multiple stages of handling.
A shipment may move through the production area, warehouse, forklift handling, road transport, airport handling, air transportation, destination warehouse and final unloading.
Eltete therefore recommends considering the complete supply chain rather than designing packaging only for the main transportation stage.
For palletised cartons and other suitable loads, Edgeboard can provide targeted protection around vulnerable edges and corners.
It can also work with strapping or wrapping systems rather than adding unnecessary protective material across the entire product.
Learn more about Eltete Edgeboard
How to Choose Air Freight Packaging
There is no single packaging format that is suitable for every air shipment.
Before selecting a solution, businesses should evaluate several factors.
Product Weight
Determine the total packed weight and how that weight is distributed.
A concentrated load can create different packaging requirements from an evenly distributed load.
Product Dimensions
Large products may require customised pallets, Honeycomb Board components or transport boxes.
Product Fragility
Sensitive products may require additional cushioning, edge protection or internal support.
Packaging Weight
Compare the weight of the existing packaging with potential lightweight alternatives.
Shipment Dimensions
Packaging should protect the product without unnecessarily increasing the overall dimensions of the shipment.
Handling Equipment
Determine whether the shipment will be handled using:
– Conventional forklifts
– Push-Pull systems
– Pallet handling
– ULD or PMC systems
– Other material-handling equipment
– Destination
Consider how the receiver will unload, store and dispose of the packaging.
Complete Transport Route
Air freight may represent only one stage of the journey.
The package could also experience truck transportation, warehouse storage, customs inspection and multiple handling points before reaching the customer.
Which Eltete Solution Could Be Suitable?
A simple way to understand the different options is:
Need conventional pallet handling?
→ Consider Paper Pallet
Need palletless handling and minimum load-carrier volume?
→ Consider Slip Sheet
Need a lightweight industrial transport box?
→ Consider The Box
Need structural cushioning or internal packaging?
→ Consider Honeycomb Board
Need corner and strapping protection?
→ Consider Edgeboard
Need a specialised supporting runner for suitable air-cargo platforms?
→ Consider AirCargoRunner
The final solution should always be selected according to the specific application rather than assuming one packaging format is suitable for every shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Freight Packaging
Q – What packaging is suitable for air freight?
A – The appropriate packaging depends on the product, weight, dimensions, fragility, handling process and destination. Eltete provides lightweight paper-based options including Paper Pallets, Slip Sheets, Honeycomb Board, The Box and specialised AirCargoRunner solutions for suitable applications.
Q – Are paper pallets suitable for air freight?
A – Yes. Eltete specifically identifies transportation savings, particularly in air freight, among the benefits of its lightweight Paper Pallets.
Q – How much does an Eltete Paper Pallet weigh?
A – Eltete’s published company information states that its Paper Pallets typically weigh approximately 3–6 kg, although the actual weight depends on the required pallet design.
Q – Can Slip Sheets be used instead of pallets?
A – Yes, for suitable operations with compatible palletless-handling equipment. Slip Sheets provide a thin load-support platform and can help optimise space throughout the logistics chain.
Q – Is The Box suitable for air freight?
A – Yes. Eltete identifies The Box as a lightweight solution suitable for air-freight applications.
Q – What is AirCargoRunner?
A – AirCargoRunner is an Eltete supporting runner developed for air-cargo platforms including PMC and ULD applications. It can support wider and more even loading arrangements and lightweight supporting structures in suitable applications.
Q – Can lightweight packaging still support heavy products?
A – Packaging weight and load capacity are separate considerations. Eltete’s products are designed in different strengths and configurations according to the application. The required structure must therefore be selected according to the actual product, weight distribution and handling conditions.
Q – Looking for Air Freight Packaging in Malaysia?
A – Reducing air-freight packaging weight should not mean reducing protection.
Instead, businesses should evaluate whether unnecessary packaging weight and volume can be replaced with a more efficient transport-packaging structure.
Eltete Malaysia provides a range of paper-based solutions including:
Paper Pallets + Slip Sheets + PallRun® + AirCargoRunner + Honeycomb Board + The Box + Edgeboard
These products can be selected and combined according to the product, handling process, destination, strength requirements, available space and cost expectations as part of Eltete’s Transport Packaging Solutions approach.
Need help evaluating your current air-freight packaging?
Contact Eltete Malaysia to discuss your product dimensions, packed weight, current packaging, handling method and transportation requirements.
