Latest annual market figures show wooden pallet reuse continuing upward trend, with new manufacture rising 11 per cent as industry focuses on sustainability and efficiency in supply chains
The wooden pallet industry is continuing to drive reuse in UK supply chains, according to latest annual market figures.
According to the 2024 UK Wood Pallets & Packaging Market, an independent study commissioned jointly by the Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (Timcon) and the Forestry Commission, pallet reuse is continuing its upward trend.
The latest figures were presented to delegates at Timcon’s AGM at the Westminster Hotel in London, by Guy Watt of John Clegg Consulting, who carried out the study.
They show that, during 2024, an estimated 53.9mn wooden pallets were inspected and repaired in the UK market, close to the 54.1m estimate the previous year.
New pallet manufacture rose 11 per cent, from 41.7m in 2023 to 46.3 in 2024.
The survey found that respondents consider the sourcing and retention of good-quality staff to be the most important factor that will impact on their business in the year ahead, the same as in the previous year’s study.
This was followed by increasing costs and inflation; strong competition; general economic uncertainty; and difficulties in the availability and price of timber.
Now in its tenth year, the annual market report is based on a survey of Timcon members, who are estimated to account for between 70 and 80 per cent of the UK market overall.
“It’s encouraging to see another year of strong reuse, which is a well-established and major part of businesses’ strategies in supply chains from the fmcg and drinks sectors to pharmaceuticals and construction,” said Timcon president John Dye.
”Reuse of these essential assets makes companies more efficient and at a time when sustainability-focused legislation is rolling out in the UK, the EU, and beyond, it boosts their environmental performance, too.
“This is the tenth year Timcon has jointly commissioned this study alongside the Forestry Commission, giving our members invaluable insights into how their industry is developing and providing vital data to policymakers on how reuse has continued to evolve in this business,” he continued.
“Wood continues to be the material of choice for pallets and packaging because of its continuous renewability, flexibility, and recyclability – not to mention its durability, relative economy, and all-round sustainability.”
Timcon’s AGM also featured a presentation by Thierry Moubax, CEO and co-founder of AI Compass, which detailed the ways in which AI will transform the pallet and packaging sector.
The meeting also featured an update on developments in the Irish timber market, including Ireland’s Build with Wood campaign, by Clodagh Kealy, director of sales and supply chain joint, Coillte Forest; and an overview of PEFC’s growing certification options by John Kirkby, executive director of PEFC.
