What Is a Pallet Collar?
A pallet collar is a collapsible frame, usually made of wood or plastic, fixed at the four pallet corner joints by galvanized steel hinges and mounted on wooden or plastic pallets, either standard or custom size, allowing multiple sidewall layers to be added to reach greater heights, typically 200 mm per layer.
Two hinge configurations are common: four-hinge for standard closure and stacking, and six-hinge for easier side access and a tighter fold.
By adding lids and reinforced corners, these plastic pallet collar turn into a rigid box unit that locks goods in place during storage or transport and stacks safely for high-level racking. Once the collar forms a container unit, even without a lid, plastic stacking corners can be added at the pallet feet and hinge joints to allow multiple units to stack securely.
How Are Pallet Collars Constructed and What Materials Are Used?
A pallet collar is assembled from four to six panels matched to pallet dimensions. Panels are joined at each end with galvanized steel hinges fixed through reinforced corner joints. This design lets the collar fold flat for storage and lock firmly when opened. Key structural elements include:
- Corner joints – keep panels at a 90° angle under load.
- Reinforced edges – reduce wear and twisting from heavy cargo.
- Precision spacing – ensures alignment with the pallet base for secure stacking.
Pallet collars are generally produced using three main materials, each with distinct performance characteristics:
| Material | Key Advantages | Limitations | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood | High strength, cost-effective | Absorbs moisture | Short-term shipping, indoor storage |
| HDPE / PP Plastic | Water-resistant, impact-proof, hygienic | Higher initial cost | Food processing, pharmaceutical, outdoor use |
| OSB Composites | Balanced weight and rigidity | Moderate moisture resistance | Mixed-load logistics, general warehousing |
Material selection is often driven by service life expectations, hygiene needs, and environmental conditions rather than price alone.
Common Pallet Collar Dimensions
Pallet collars are typically 200 mm high per layer, with external dimensions designed to match standard pallet sizes used worldwide. Matching these standards ensures compatibility with existing handling and storage systems.
- 1200 × 1200 × 200 mm pallet collars: Suitable for the Australian Standard Pallet
- 1200 × 1000 × 200 mm pallet collars: Fits the ISO Standard Pallet, commonly used in Asia and Oceania
- 1200 × 800 × 200 mm pallet collars: Designed for the European Standard Pallet (EUR/EPAL)
- 1000 × 1000 × 200 mm pallet collars: Suitable for the Asian Square Pallet Standard
- 1000 × 800 × 200 mm pallet collars: Fits regional standards for mixed European and Asian markets
- 800 × 800 × 200 mm pallet collars: Ideal for custom regional and industry-specific pallet systems
- 800 × 600 × 200 mm pallet collars: Designed for the Euro Half Pallet Standard
Custom sizes can be produced to meet special export requirements or non-standard pallet systems. The above specifications are based on Enlightening Pallet’s plastic pallet collars and may not apply to all pallet collar suppliers.
What Are the Key Advantages of Pallet Collars?
Space Efficiency
If your warehouse is packed, every cubic meter matters. Collapsible collars fold flat, cutting empty return volume by up to 80%. This isn’t just about storage—it means fewer return trips, lower freight costs, and more room for revenue-generating stock without expanding your facility.
Versatility
Standard boxes give you one fixed height; collars let you decide. Need to fit tall machinery this week and small parts next week? Stack layers to the exact height you need, then fold them away. This adaptability reduces the need to purchase and store multiple container sizes, freeing both space and budget.
Cargo Protection
Worried a pallet collar won’t match a bulk container’s stability? Pair reinforced corner joints with stacking corners and you’ll get the same solid structure—only lighter and more flexible. With HDPE plastic, you also gain impact resistance, no warping in humidity, and a shape that stays true even after years of rotation. This protects your goods from costly damage claims and keeps your delivery schedules on track.
Flexible Accessory Options
Pallet collars don’t work alone—you can fit them with lids, dividers, and stacking corners to match your cargo needs. Lids seal the load from dust or moisture, dividers separate fragile items, and stacking corners lock multiple units in place for high, stable stacking. These add-ons help you handle more product types with the same base system, cutting procurement complexity and boosting operational flexibility.
Why Choose Plastic Pallet Collars but not Wood Options？
The advantages above aren’t shared by all pallet collars—wood absorbs moisture, weakens quickly, and is harder to clean. Here’s why plastic options perform better.
1. HDPE plastic collars resist rain, condensation, and wash-downs without swelling or warping, while wood quickly absorbs moisture and loses strength. This makes plastic the better choice for cold chain hubs, coastal exports, and any humid storage environment.
2. They absorb heavy impacts, will not rot or rust, and keep stacks stable even after years outdoors. Wooden collars can crack, splinter, and weaken under repeated loading, increasing the risk of collapsed stacks and damaged cargo.
3. Food-grade HDPE meets strict hygiene standards and is easy to sanitize, whereas wood can trap dirt and harbor bacteria. For food and pharma, plastic reduces contamination risks and safeguards both your goods and brand reputation.
4. Smooth HDPE surfaces wash clean in minutes with no drying time or mold growth. Wood collars take longer to dry, may warp after cleaning, and often require early replacement—plastic keeps working for years, maximizing your investment.
What are Pallet Collars Used for？
Plastic pallet collars offer excellent hygiene performance and, thanks to the high strength of HDPE, can be folded and unfolded thousands of times without losing shape. Specific application scenarios include:
- Food Processing and Cold Chain: Provide hygienic storage that meets safety standards, with smooth surfaces for easy cleaning and mold resistance—ideal for meat, dairy, and fresh produce distribution.
- Pharmaceutical Warehousing: Withstand high-temperature sterilization without losing shape, ensuring clean and compliant storage for sensitive medical supplies and packaging.
- Outdoor Long-Term Storage: UV-resistant HDPE prevents warping or brittleness from sun and rain, maintaining structural integrity for seasonal or remote storage sites.
- Heavy-Duty Logistics: Offer safe stacking for compact, bulky, or fragile goods, reducing damage risks during transport while optimizing warehouse space.
How We Help You Solve Storage and Transport Challenges
From design to delivery, Enlightening Pallet turn the pallet collar advantages you’ve seen above into real, measurable results for your operations. As a direct manufacturer, we deliver factory-priced plastic pallet collars engineered for modular integration with pallets, pallet boxes, and bottle racks. Our precision-molded designs stack up to 11 layers without deformation, fit seamlessly on racking, and adapt to multiple sizes for global pallet standards. With optional lids, dividers, and stacking corners, you get a tailored container system that cuts handling time, maximizes warehouse space, and lowers total ownership cost—built for the demands of high-volume B2B logistics.
