Innovative and Sustainable Pallet Solutions for Container Shipments

Specific problem/need/opportunity area

Research on alternative pallet transport materials and development of an environmentally friendly and innovative product by increasing the loading capacity of the currently used “22.5×11.75” trailer wheel, which currently accommodates 432 loads in one container.

Expectations from the Technology Supplier

• Alternative materials reducing carbon footprint instead of wooden pallets.

• Use of different packaging materials to reduce total package weight and CO2 emissions.

• Increase in container loading capacity.

• Reduction in unit freight costs.

• Cost advantage.

• Feasibility of implementing the solution from the customer’s perspective.

• Scalability of the solution.

Technology Supplier Qualifications

• Environmental Compatibility and Sustainability: Pallet alternatives offered by the technology supplier should be produced using environmentally friendly materials, minimizing the environmental impact of logistics operations to support sustainability.

• Innovative Material Technologies: Suppliers focusing on innovative material technologies are preferred. For example, lightweight and durable composite materials can provide advantages over traditional pallets.

• Modular Design: Modular pallet design can offer solutions tailored to different transport needs. Modular pallets can provide flexibility in scaling and customization.

• Durability and Performance: Pallet alternatives should have the capacity to carry heavy loads and demonstrate durability in various logistics environments.

• Logistics Integration Capabilities: The technology supplier should have the technological infrastructure to seamlessly integrate pallets into existing logistics systems.

• Cost Effectiveness: Cost-effectiveness of the solution is crucial for businesses considering pallet replacement or transition. Suppliers offering pallets that require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan can provide an advantage.

Additional Information

  • Currently, 36 pallets are loaded into one container, with 12 wheels on each pallet, totaling 432 loads. The container can be loaded with 9 rows from side to side, and 2 pallets can be stacked on top of each other.
  • Dimensions of the 40″ HC container:
    • Length: 12.03 m (a minimum of 7 cm gap is required for the door to close.)
    • Width: 2.35 m (a total of a minimum of 6 cm gap is required to prevent wheels from hitting each other and the container’s inner walls.)
    • Height: 2.7 m (a minimum of 5 cm gap is required for the forklift to move the pallet inside the container.)
    • Door Width: 2.34 m
    • Door Height: 2.58 m
  • You can reach related photos and videos from this link to see the current packaging type and equipment used.
  • Plastic clips, known as mandals, are used as separators.

Call Timeline

• Call Announcement and Application Start: January 25, 2024

• Application Deadline: February 20, 2024

• Evaluation of Applications: February 21, 2024

• Information and First Q&A Session: February 23, 2024

• Second Evaluation: February 24, 2024

• Second Q&A Session, NDA, and Technical Details: February 26, 2024

• Demo Day: March 15, 2024

• Announcement of Winners and PoC Process: March 16-29, 2024