Plastic pallets were designed to improve the characteristics of wood pallets. Some are designed to be more durable and clean, and some are designed to be lighter and easier to ship internationally. There are also rackable pallets that are capable of edge-racking extremely heavy loads.
Durable Means Re-usable
The most durable plastic pallets have a life span of over 10 years. They do not easily warp, shrink or splinter, and are usable in all climate conditions. They also have no screws, nails, or fasteners, all of which can loosen, protrude or come off, causing stock damage or the risk of injuries. For this reason, the most durable plastic pallets are often the choice for companies shipping fragile products.
Plastic skids are also resistant to chemicals such as acids and alkalis. Their durability makes them re-usable and reliable. This is one reason why many industries that use closed-loop warehousing systems ('closed loop' means pallets are returned to sender after delivery) now prefer plastic pallets. The pharmaceutical, automotive, beverage, and dairy industries are all in this category.
Another aspect of re-usability is recycling. Reusable pallets are 100% recyclable and can be ground up and turned into new pallets, or other products.
Clean and Hygienic
This is one of the forgotten benefits. They are free of bugs, bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens, all of which can cause quarantine delays, increasing your shipping costs, not to mention the health and safety risks themselves. Many agricultural industries and food producers are now using plastic pallets for this essential reason.
They are also easily cleaned via hot-wash, steam-cleaning, or chemical sanitization.
Another aspect of a pallet's cleanliness is showroom suitability - for example, the electronics industry is now moving to plastic pallets because in many cases the product needs to be displayed on the pallet, so the pallet becomes a display.