Chemical manufacturers and shippers can have very different needs depending on the products they are palletizing, and plastic's malleability helps in this situation. When chemical drums are being transported, pallets can be formed with a ring embedded in the deck to accommodate the drums. This makes the barrels safer and less likely to slip. Plastic chemical pallets may also have small chutes or a removable spill platform under the pallet. This makes mopping up spills much easier and can also prevent chemical spills from seeping onto surfaces other than the pallet.
Also, the deck can be made of non-slip or anti-corrosion material, making it more durable for this environment.
There are wooden pallets that are manufactured to be best for display in a store, but some may prefer a plastic pallet for the job. While wooden decking looks very clean and can complement products well, they do wear out over time and there is a risk of decking chipping or nails being exposed after repeated movement. Using a plastic pallet to display items in the store is an attractive alternative. There is much less risk of breakage and almost no maintenance.
Plastic palettes also look cleaner for longer, especially if they're a darker colour like black.
Plastic pallets are easy to clean and hygienic for food situations. Although wooden pallets can be used in sanitary facilities, wood can absorb water, chemicals and other substances. The plastic prevents this absorption, so anything spilt on the deck will either wash up or fall off immediately. This is particularly important for facilities that produce or process food, as all surfaces that could come into contact with food must meet certain hygiene standards. These operations use plastic pallets almost exclusively as it can be difficult to keep wood to these standards.
A simple wash with water or a cleaning solution will disinfect a plastic pallet.
Certain plastic pallets are lightweight and ideal for transporting goods on aeroplanes. Depending on the construction, some plastic pallets can save up to 25% in weight. This is significant when counting and analyzing all the ounces and pounds. These pallets are also designed to be stackable and lightweight, so they take up less space when not in use on the return trip.