An out-of-the-box approach to material handling: Innovative composite pallet gains strength, durability from pultruded Bayer polyurethanes

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- They splinter. They warp. They absorb moisture, which can lead to contamination. The drawbacks associated with the use of wooden pallets go on and on. But now there is a better alternative: RM2 has developed a composite pallet that resolves many of the issues the material handling industry faces related to traditional wooden pallets.

The BLOCKPal™ pallet from RM2 is pultruded from polyurethane resin from Bayer MaterialScience LLC. Specially designed for use in pultrusion, Bayer's Baydur^® PUL 2500 resin is a two-component polyurethane system that offers excellent composite properties, including superior elongation to failure characteristics, greater shear strength and higher impact resistance.

Unlike pallets made from wood, RM2 testing of the BLOCKPal pallet indicates it is not subject to contamination from bacteria or insects, or splintering caused by rough or repeated handling. In fact, based on its findings, RM2 estimates that BLOCKPal pallets are up to 20 times more durable than wooden pallets. Not only does extending pallet service life minimize costly workflow interruptions, it also helps reduce the need to constantly replace traditional wood pallets.

"Our innovation in materials and design enables our innovation in economics," explained Niall Carson, business development, RM2. "Because our composite pallets are significantly more durable, we can provide significant economic benefits to our customer base."

According to Carson, RM2's out-of-the-box approach relates not only to the pallet material but also to the pallet supply chain: instead of incurring the cost of purchasing and replacing pallets outright, customers lease the pallets from RM2.  "We're changing the way our customers look at pallets – from a consumable to an asset that can generate significant accretive profit margin," said Carson.  

In addition to supplying the custom polyurethane resin system, Bayer also provided pultrusion tooling and process support, part design recommendations, material enhancements and on-site process support. "RM2 is really shaking up the material handling industry with its improved pallet design and innovative business model," said Paul Platte, market manager – Polyurethane Composites, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. "These composite pallets are just the latest illustration of how pultruded polyurethane is delivering significant value to diverse industries."

BLOCKPal pallets are available in standard footprints: 1,200 mm x 1,000-mm, 1,200 mm x 800 mm, 1,165 mm x 1,165 mm and 48 in. by 40 in., as well as in customized sizes for specialized applications. The pallets have been independently tested by leading institutions and, according to RM2, have been shown regularly to outperform comparable products and industry standards. For instance, results following fire testing show the composite pallet passes UL 2335.

RM2 produces the pallets completely in house. The company pultrudes the polyurethane into three basic profiles (feet, slats and channels), paints the feet a distinctive yellow, applies an anti-skid coating and assembles the pallets.

The BLOCKPal™ pallet will be on display at Bayer's booth (3145) at CAMX, taking place Oct.14-16 in Orlando.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC:
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2013 sales of 11.2 billion euros. Bayer MaterialScience, a Bayer Group company, manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC's business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

About RM2:
Founded in 2007, RM2 is a vertically integrated innovator in pallet development, manufacture, supply and management. Recognizing that there are significant costs and drawbacks associated with traditional pallets, RM2 has established a disruptive presence in global pallet supply and aims to improve the supply chain of manufacturing and distribution businesses through the effective and efficient use and management of composite pallets.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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SOURCE Bayer MaterialScience LLC