The volume of pallets repaired annually and reused has increased for another year, according to the Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON)’s annual survey of the timber packaging market in the UK.
The UK Wood Pallet & Packaging Market in 2019, commissioned jointly by TIMCON and the Forestry Commission, estimated that a total of 48.3 million wooden pallets were repaired last year, up by 5 percent on the previous year. The figures for newly manufactured pallets remained similar to 2018, at 44.9m.
The report also revealed a general upward trend in like-for-like demand for heat-treated and kiln-dried pallets.
Guy Watt, Managing Director of John Clegg Consulting, which produces the report, presented the findings to TIMCON’s general meeting, which was held online in December and attended by more than 50 delegates. The event focused on final preparations for Brexit and included a presentation by DEFRA, commending TIMCON’s work with government to ensure that the wooden pallet and packaging industry – and the food, drink, pharmaceutical, and many other supply chains it serves – are prepared for the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020.
“The figures in TIMCON’s latest annual UK Wood Pallet & Packaging Market report show another encouraging increase in the number of pallets we are recycling every year,” stated TIMCON President John Dye. “This is consistent with our aim to encourage the reuse of wooden pallets and packaging first and foremost, before recycling at the end of their useful life.
“The annual survey provides an invaluable understanding of the main market dynamics in wooden packaging and pallets. This has become particularly important over recent months as we have moved towards the end of the Brexit transition period and during the pandemic has helped us illustrate the scale of this industry, which supports vital supply chains and as such has been designated an essential sector.
“We greatly appreciate the support of the Forestry Commission in producing this report every year.”
Gary Dorken of Defra’s Plant Health Team also gave a presentation about Brexit to the meeting and commended TIMCON’s work with government, industry organizations, and supply chain to ensure that stocks of ISPM15-compliant pallets and packaging are available from January 1, 2021.
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