Pallet Pools
The information given here is for major European pallet pools and European exchange pallets, with emphasis on UK operators. A limited number of other pools and exchange pallets are dealt with in appropriate pages such as PACIFIC ASIA and NORTH AMERICA. The information given here is general. For detailed information such as safe loads you should approach the pool operators/proprietors, or visit their websites.
Pallet pool terminology - a one way trip system - is where the pool operator delivers pallets to the hirer. The hirer ships the pallets carrying the hirers product to customers and informs the pool operator when and where the pallets have been shipped to, the operator arranges to collect the pallets when empty. Once returned to the depot the pallets are inspected and repaired if necessary, before starting the cycle again.
LPR rental pool pallet
Chep (Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool) – rental pallet – colour blue - UK tel 01932 850085 - the forerunner of national pallet pools originating from the Brambles pool of Australia in the 1950s and now the largest rental pool. GKN Chep started in the UK during the mid 1970s with the most common UK size of 1200 x 1000mm. A main reason for starting operations in the UK at that time, rather than elsewhere in Europe, was due to the very low UK usage of the Europallet. There was no significant rental or exchange scheme in the UK at the time. Now known simply as 'Chep' pallets these are available in several sizes from the ‘half-pallet’ up to the common 1200 x 1000mm.
LPR (Logistic Packaging Return) – rental pallet – colour red – UK tel 01527 523311 - one of the largest rental pools which commenced in the UK in 2002. LPR originated from the French pool - La Palette Rouge which was originally operated alongside LPV - La Palette Vert, and an exchange version LPO - La Palette Orange. The manufacturing quality of LPR UK is controlled from within the UK with three UK pallet sizes 1000 x 1200, 1200 x 1000 and 800 x 1200. LPR UK operates a one-way trip system http://www.lpr.eu/
IPP Logipal – rental pallet – colour brown – UK tel 01676 524000 - part of the Faber Halbertsma Group, one of Europe’s largest pallet producers and also amongst the largest European pallet pools. Having gained a strong position in Europe IPP Logipal was established in the UK & Ireland in 2005. It offers coverage across the UK & Ireland and is accepted by retail supply-chains. Logipal pallets are available as 1000 x 1200 and 800 x 1000 in the UK & Ireland and a wider range of sizes across continental Europe. IPP Logipal operates a one-way trip system.
PRS (Pallet Return System) – rental pallet – colour green - UK tel 01562 742540 - part of the Faber Halbertsma Group, it commenced in 1997. The PRS pallet range is identical in size and design to the CP pallet range, for example CP4 = PRS4. The CP and PRS pallets are both designed and specified by APME. However, PRS pallets are stronger than CP pallets, as PRS do not use weak deciduous species in construction (eg. alder and poplar). PRS UK offers PRS4, 7, 8 & 9 to rent. Manufacturers are licensed to produce the PRS range which now extends across Europe to Turkey operating on a one-way trip system.
Europallet - exchange scheme – no colour I/D - UK tel see 11n below - the oldest exchange scheme with a distinctive copyrighted ‘EUR’ logo/symbol. Until recently the Europallet was only available as a single size wood pallet 800 x 1200mm and one steel 800 x 1200 box-pallet. More recently a 600 x 800 half-pallet, 1000 x 1200 open-base skid type and a 1200 x 1000 full-perimeter base pallet can be supplied. Manufacturing quality is now controlled by EPAL http://www.epal-pallets.org/ which operates in most European countries, plus a very small number of suppliers in China, India and USA. A European (CEN) standard EN 13698-1 has been published with an almost identical specification to the Europallet, but the standard of quality, dimensions and essential logo is not controlled by CEN and the EN pallet cannot be described or sold as a 'Europallet'. Further details on copyright, exchange rules and practical European border controls see Datasheet 11m below; for purchase and disposal see Datasheet 11n.
CP (Chemical pallet) - exchange scheme – no colour I/D - UK tel see 11n below - the range commenced with 5 types/sizes in 1991, by 1993 a total of 9 types/sizes CP1 to CP9 were available. Principally aimed at the chemical and polymer producers but not taken up in the UK as early as other European countries due to the strength of the ICI (Chemical) pallet exchange scheme. The CP range was originally designed to last for about 5 trips with different owners, but tends to last longer; it is now used outside the chemical and polymer industries due to a good choice of sizes. Manufacturers are licensed to produce the CP range (see 12b) but there is no independent control of manufacturing quality.
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11b Europe and the Europallet (PDF 25kb)11m EPAL registration, marking and exchange of Europallets in Europe (PDF 25kb)11n Purchase of new and used CP and Europallets.. (PDF 38kb)12b Registering for CP (Chemical Pallet) manufacture (PDF 21kb)12c Safe working loads (SWL) for CP Pallets (PDF 22kb)30a INDEX OF EUROPEAN PALLET standards and related documents (PDF 33kb)53a Nailing pattern for the EPAL-UIC 800 x 1200 Europallet (PDF 25kb)65a APME Chemical Pallet specifications CP1 to CP9 v 6 April 04 (PDF 679kb)65b APME Pallet Return System specifications PRS 3 to PRS 9 v 2003 (PDF 678kb)