Selecting the right load-handling solution can influence how efficiently products are stored, transported and prepared for export.
Wooden pallets are a conventional option, but companies seeking to optimise the use of space and packaging material may consider palletless handling with Slip Sheets.
Eltete Slip Sheets are designed for transporting goods where companies need to optimise available space within the logistics chain. According to Eltete, their use can provide savings in transportation, packaging material and storage.
However, the better option depends on the product, existing handling process, shipping destination and operational requirements.
What Is an Eltete Slip Sheet?
An Eltete Slip Sheet, also known as a Push-Pull Pallet, is manufactured from laminated solid kraftliner.
Eltete describes the material as having high tensile strength, tear resistance and suitable moisture-related properties. Standard models are available based on normal pallet dimensions, while the size, model and strength can also be adapted according to individual requirements.
Unlike a conventional pallet platform, a Slip Sheet creates a palletless handling system beneath the load. This allows companies to reduce the amount of packaging material used for transporting and storing goods.
What Is the Main Difference Between Slip Sheets and Wooden Pallets?
The main difference is the amount and form of material placed underneath the load.
A wooden pallet provides a raised physical platform. A Slip Sheet uses a comparatively compact laminated kraftliner sheet to support palletless handling.
This distinction may affect:
– The amount of space occupied by packaging
– The quantity of goods that can be loaded
– Packaging material requirements
– Transportation and storage costs
– The handling method used within the logistics operation
Eltete’s transport packaging approach focuses on reducing packaging material so businesses can require less warehouse space and potentially load more products.
1. Space Utilisation
Space is one of the most important considerations when comparing Slip Sheets with wooden pallets.
Eltete states that Slip Sheets are frequently used when businesses need to optimise space within the logistics chain. Their compact construction reduces the volume of transport packaging placed beneath a load.
This can be valuable for companies that want to:
– Maximise available container space
– Reduce packaging volume in storage
– Load more products into transport units
– Improve space efficiency throughout the supply chain
Eltete’s company profile also explains that Slip Sheets can help customers maximise the amount of goods that fit inside a truck or container.
2. Transportation and Material Costs
Slip Sheets may help reduce the amount of packaging material required compared with conventional pallet-based handling.
Eltete identifies potential savings in:
– Transportation
– Packaging material
– Storage
These savings can benefit both the supplier sending the products and the receiver handling the shipment at its destination.
The actual financial result will depend on factors such as shipment configuration, product type, destination and handling process. Therefore, every application should be assessed individually instead of assuming the same result for every shipment.
3. Export Container Efficiency
For businesses shipping products overseas, container utilisation can have a significant effect on overall logistics efficiency.
Eltete published a case study involving a customer with high freight costs for overseas shipments. The customer wanted to move away from wooden pallets so that more goods could be loaded into each container.
After changing to laminated kraftliner Slip Sheets, the customer’s shipments were optimised. In this specific case, Eltete reported a 15% reduction in freight costs and an 85% reduction in material costs. These figures represent the result of that particular application and should not be interpreted as guaranteed results for every operation.
The case demonstrates how palletless handling can be evaluated when container loading capacity and packaging costs are major concerns.
4. Storage Requirements
Transport packaging occupies space before it is used, during loading and sometimes after the goods reach their destination.
Because Slip Sheets use less material than a traditional pallet structure, they can support operations seeking to reduce the space allocated to packaging materials.
Eltete connects Slip Sheet use with savings in storage costs and improved use of space in the logistics chain.
This may be relevant for:
– Export manufacturers
– Distribution centres
– Logistics companies
– Food and beverage companies
– Consumer-goods suppliers
– Businesses operating with limited warehouse space
Eltete lists food and beverage, consumer goods and logistics among the sectors in which Slip Sheet demand has been observed.
5. Customisation
Shipment dimensions and load requirements can vary between businesses.
Eltete manufactures standard Slip Sheet models based on common pallet dimensions. The company also states that it can accommodate individual requirements relating to size, model and strength.
This allows the Slip Sheet to be evaluated as part of a transport packaging system designed around the customer’s actual load rather than relying entirely on a fixed standard format.
6. Recycling and Wood-Free Packaging
Eltete’s transport packaging strategy follows its Reduce, Replace and Recycle approach.
The company supplies recyclable transport packaging products and aims to reduce the amount of packaging material used throughout the supply chain.
Eltete also states that its paper packaging does not require the special sterilisation treatment associated with wood and can be accepted internationally without the same restrictions.
For exporters considering wood-free transport packaging, this is an important point to evaluate alongside load performance and handling requirements.
When Should a Business Consider Slip Sheets?
Slip Sheets may be suitable when a company wants to:
– Optimise container or truck capacity
– Reduce transport packaging material
– Lower the storage space required for packaging
– Introduce palletless handling
– Replace wooden pallets in suitable export shipments
– Use a recyclable kraftliner-based transport solution
– Customise the sheet according to the required size and strength
The final choice should still be based on the product, load requirements, handling process and shipment destination.
When Might Wooden Pallets Remain Practical?
A wooden pallet may remain the more practical operational option when an existing logistics system is designed entirely around conventional pallet handling and changing that process would not suit the operation.
Slip Sheets should not automatically be treated as a direct replacement in every application. Businesses must determine whether their loading, movement and receiving processes are suitable for palletless handling.
The objective is not simply to replace one material with another. It is to identify the transport packaging configuration that provides the required protection and handling performance while using material and space efficiently.
Slip Sheets vs Wooden Pallets: Which Is Better?
Neither option is automatically better for every business.
Slip Sheets may be the better choice when the priority is to optimise space, reduce packaging material, improve container utilisation and support palletless export handling.
Wooden pallets may remain practical when the existing operation depends on a traditional raised pallet platform and is not prepared to change its handling process.
Eltete evaluates transport packaging according to customer needs and considers factors such as the product, handling method, destination, strength, space, material and cost expectations.
A proper application assessment is therefore the best way to determine which system is suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Slip Sheets replace wooden pallets?
Slip Sheets can replace wooden pallets in suitable palletless-handling applications. Eltete has documented an export case in which a customer moved from wooden pallets to laminated kraftliner Slip Sheets to load more goods per container.
Do Slip Sheets help save warehouse space?
Eltete states that Slip Sheets are used to optimise space within the logistics chain and can provide savings in storage costs.
Are Eltete Slip Sheets customisable?
Yes. Eltete offers standard models based on common pallet sizes and can accommodate individual requirements involving size, model and strength.
Are Slip Sheets suitable for export shipments?
Eltete identifies export shipments as an application for Slip Sheets, especially when businesses want to optimise container capacity and reduce freight-related costs.
Which industries can use Slip Sheets?
Eltete’s official materials identify applications within food and beverage, consumer goods and logistics operations, among other export activities.
Are freight savings guaranteed when using Slip Sheets?
No fixed saving should be assumed. Eltete reported freight and material cost reductions in one documented customer case, but actual results depend on the specific shipment and application.
Find the Right Palletless Handling Solution
The decision between Slip Sheets and wooden pallets should be based on more than the packaging material alone.
Product dimensions, load requirements, transport method, available space, handling processes and destination must all be considered.
Eltete Malaysia provides Slip Sheets and complete transport packaging solutions that can be adapted according to individual customer requirements.
Contact Eltete Malaysia to discuss whether Slip Sheets are suitable for your transport, warehousing and export operation.
