Packaging weight adds to the total weight of every shipment.
For companies that export often, even a small reduction per pallet can become a large difference over many shipments.
Eltete Paper Pallets are designed as lightweight paper-based load platforms. They can be made to suit the product, load, handling method, and destination. Eltete also lists lower weight and transport savings, especially for air freight, as key benefits of its Paper Pallet solutions.
Q – But how much weight can your company actually reduce ?
A – The answer depends on your current pallet, the Eltete Paper Pallet design, and the number of pallets you ship.
The best way to find out is to calculate it using your own data.
A – Quick Answer
– To estimate the transport weight reduction, use this formula:
– Weight reduction per pallet = Current pallet weight − Paper Pallet weight
Then:
– Total weight reduction = Weight reduction per pallet × Number of pallets
For example:
– Current pallet = 20 kg
– Paper Pallet = 5 kg
Weight reduction:
– 20 kg − 5 kg = 15 kg per pallet
For 50 pallets:
– 15 kg × 50 = 750 kg
In this example, the shipment would carry 750 kg less pallet weight. This is only an example. Actual results depend on the pallet design used for your application.
Q – Why Does Pallet Weight Matter?
A – The pallet is part of the shipment. It does not contain the product being sold, but its weight still needs to be transported.
– For one pallet, the difference may not look large. For 50, 100, or 500 pallets, the total can become much more important.
Lower pallet weight may help:
– Reduce non-product shipment weight
– Improve freight efficiency
– Support air freight planning
– Make empty pallets easier to handle
– Reduce unnecessary transport weight
– Increase the amount of product carried within a weight limit
Eltete highlights lightweight construction as one of the main benefits of its Paper Pallets.
Q – How Much Does an Eltete Paper Pallet Weigh?
A – There is no single weight for every Eltete Paper Pallet.
The final weight depends on:
– Pallet dimensions
– Pallet height
– Required strength
– Load weight
– Runner design
– Number of runners
– Deck construction
– Two-way or four-way entry
– Reinforcement needs
– Eltete’s published Paper Pallet information gives a general example of about 3 to 6 kg for a carton pallet, compared with about 15 to 25 kg for wooden pallets in its comparison. Eltete also gives an air freight example using an average carton pallet of about 5 kg compared with a wooden pallet of about 20 kg.
These numbers are examples.
– They should not be treated as the guaranteed weight of every Eltete Paper Pallet. The correct pallet needs to be designed around the actual load.
1 – Step 1: Find Your Current Pallet Weight
– Start by checking the pallet you already use. Do not rely only on a general average. Weigh the actual pallet if possible.
For example:
– Current wooden pallet weight: 18 kg
– Then get the weight of the Paper Pallet proposed for the same application.
Example:
– Proposed Paper Pallet weight: 5 kg
Now calculate the difference.
– 18 kg − 5 kg = 13 kg
The estimated reduction is:
– 13 kg per pallet
2 – Step 2: Multiply by the Number of Pallets
– The next step is to calculate the total shipment.
Assume one shipment uses:
– 80 pallets
Weight reduction per pallet:
– 13 kg
Calculation:
– 13 kg × 80 pallets = 1,040 kg
In this example, replacing the current pallet could reduce the load-platform weight by:
– 1,040 kg per shipment
Again, this does not mean every operation will achieve the same result. It depends on the actual pallet weights.
3 – Step 3: Estimate the Freight Impact
– If your freight cost is affected by shipment weight, you can make a simple estimate.
Use:
– Estimated weight-related freight difference = Total weight reduction × Freight rate per kg
For example:
Weight reduction = 1,040 kg
Freight rate = RM8 per kg
Calculation:
1,040 kg × RM8 = RM8,320
The estimated weight-related difference would be:
RM8,320 per shipment
However, this is not a guaranteed freight saving.
Actual freight charges may depend on:
– Chargeable weight
– Volumetric weight
– Minimum charges
– Freight contracts
– Route
– Destination
– Fuel charges
– Cargo type
– Airline or freight forwarder
– Other fees
The calculation should therefore be used as an initial planning tool. Your freight provider should confirm the actual cost impact.
Simple Weight Reduction Formula Companies can use this formula with their own data.
– Formula 1: Weight Reduction Per Pallet
Current pallet weight − New Paper Pallet weight
Example:
20 kg − 5 kg = 15 kg
– Formula 2: Weight Reduction Per Shipment
Weight reduction per pallet × Number of pallets
Example:
15 kg × 100 pallets = 1,500 kg
– Formula 3: Estimated Weight-Related Freight Difference
Total weight reduction × Freight rate per kg
Example:
1,500 kg × RM10/kg = RM15,000
– Formula 4: Estimated Annual Difference
Estimated difference per shipment × Number of shipments per year
Example:
RM15,000 × 12 shipments = RM180,000 per year
This is an illustrative calculation only.
It does not mean that changing pallets will automatically reduce the company’s freight bill by RM180,000.
The actual result depends on the freight pricing model and the final packaging system.
Example: 100 Pallets Per Shipment
Here is a simple example based on Eltete’s published air freight comparison.
Eltete gives an example of:
Wooden pallet: about 20 kg
Carton pallet: about 5 kg
That creates a difference of:
15 kg per pallet
For 100 pallets:
Why Air Freight Is an Important Example
Weight is especially important in air freight.
Air cargo often has a higher cost per kilogram than road or sea transport.
This means reducing unnecessary pallet weight can become more valuable in weight-sensitive shipments.
Eltete specifically highlights transportation savings, including air freight, as a benefit of its lightweight Paper Pallets.
This can be relevant for products such as:
– Electronics
– Industrial components
– Pharmaceuticals
– Export goods
– High-value products
– Time-sensitive shipments
However, the full freight calculation should still be checked with the logistics provider.
Paper Pallet Weight Should Not Be Reduced Without Considering Strength
A lighter pallet is only useful if it can still support the load.
The goal is not to make the lightest pallet possible.
The goal is to remove unnecessary pallet weight while keeping the required level of strength and performance.
Eltete Paper Pallets can be designed based on:
– Product dimensions
– Total load weight
– Load distribution
– Pallet size
– Handling method
– Forklift entry
– Storage conditions
– Transport method
– Destination
Eltete states that its Paper Pallet solutions can be designed to optimise strength, space, material, and cost based on the application.
This is why two customers may receive different Paper Pallet designs.
Can a Lightweight Paper Pallet Carry Heavy Loads?
Lightweight does not always mean weak.
Eltete uses PallRun® as a key part of its Paper Pallet construction.
PallRun® combines laminated U-profiles, kraftliner surfaces, and paper cores.
Eltete states that independent laboratory testing on a tested four-way Paper Pallet reached up to 10,000 kg of static compression strength without failure.
However, this figure applies to the tested design.
It does not mean every Eltete Paper Pallet has a 10,000 kg load rating.
Actual strength depends on the pallet design and operating conditions.
Q – What Else Should Be Considered?
A – Weight is important, but it should not be the only factor.
Before changing your pallet system, also consider:
– Product weight
– The pallet must support the actual load.
– Load distribution
– A load spread evenly across the pallet is different from a load with weight focused in a small area.
– Forklift handling
– The pallet must suit the equipment used at both ends of the shipment.
– Stacking
– Check whether loaded pallets will be stacked.
Storage
Consider how long the goods will remain in storage.
Moisture and humidity
The environment should be reviewed as part of the pallet selection.
Transport method
Air, sea, road, and mixed transport may have different needs.
Destination
The receiving company must also be able to handle the pallet.
Weight reduction should therefore be part of a full packaging review.
Paper Pallet Weight Reduction Calculator
You can make a quick estimate with four inputs:
A. Current pallet weight: _____ kg
B. Proposed Paper Pallet weight: _____ kg
C. Number of pallets: _____
D. Freight rate: RM _____ / kg
Then calculate:
A − B = Weight reduction per pallet
(A − B) × C = Total weight reduction
Total weight reduction × D = Estimated weight-related freight difference
The result should only be used as an estimate until the final pallet design and freight rate are confirmed.
Final Takeaway
Paper-based pallets can reduce the amount of non-product weight carried in a shipment.
Eltete’s published examples show why the difference can become important when many pallets are shipped, especially in air freight and other weight-sensitive operations.
However, there is no fixed weight saving for every customer.
The real reduction depends on:
– Current pallet weight
– Eltete Paper Pallet design
– Number of pallets
– Shipment frequency
– Freight pricing
The best approach is simple:
Measure the current pallet. Compare it with the proposed Paper Pallet. Then calculate the difference across the full shipment.
Want to Review Your Current Pallet Weight?
Share your current pallet dimensions, pallet weight, product load, handling method, and shipment details with Eltete Malaysia.
Eltete can review the application and recommend a Paper Pallet solution based on the required strength, space, material, and transport needs.
Learn more at www.eltete.com.my
