Wooden wedges vs plastic wedges for rolls
Wooden wedges are nailed to the pallet for every shipment. Plastic wedges are placed against the roll and hold by friction, without nails or tools. Plastic wedges are not subject to ISPM 15 treatment for export, do not absorb humidity, and the reusable versions come back for further cycles.
What goes wrong with nailed wooden wedges?
- Nails. They injure operators, damage forklift tyres on the floor and leave holes that weaken the pallet over time.
- Humidity. Wooden wedges absorb humidity, split, and arrive at destination cracked.
- Export paperwork. ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment is mandatory for export wood. It adds cost and lead time.
- No adjustment. A nailed wedge cannot be moved without rebuilding the setup.
How do wooden and plastic wedges compare?
| Criterion | Nailed wooden wedge | Plastic wedge (ROLL KU10, KU04) |
|---|---|---|
| Fixing | Nails and hammer | No nails: friction teeth on the KU10, rubber pads on the KU04 |
| Tools | Hammer and nails | None |
| Pallet after use | Nail holes weaken the pallet | No holes; the pallet can be recovered after use |
| Humidity | Absorbs humidity and splits | Recycled PP (KU10) or recycled HDPE (KU04) |
| Export | ISPM 15 treatment required | Not subject to ISPM 15 |
| Reuse | In internal handling a wooden wedge lasts one cycle before splitting | KU04: reusable, multi-cycle. KU10: designed for one-way shipments |
| Repositioning | The setup must be rebuilt | SB01 and SB02 kits: the wedges are repositioned on a rubber mat |
| Published maximum load | Not applicable | KU10: 1500 kg. KU04: 2500 kg |
The plastic wedge values are those published on the ROLL product pages.
Which plastic wedge replaces a wooden wedge?
- One-way export shipments: KU10, the patented nail-free wedge in recycled PP, 260 × 150 × 50 mm, for rolls from Ø 160 to 1200 mm.
- Daily handling inside the plant: KU04 in recycled HDPE with rubber pads, 570 or 1143 mm long, for rolls from Ø 160 to 1100 mm.
- Existing 800 × 1200 pallets and changing roll diameters: SB01 or SB02, an 8 mm rubber mat with two KU04 wedges.
Does a nail-free wedge change the handling time?
No time figure is published. What changes is the sequence. With wood: position the roll, hammer the wedges, pull the nails at destination. With plastic: place one wedge on each side of the roll. No tools and no fasteners. With the SB01 kit the roll can be loaded by rolling it onto the mat, and the wedges are then slid into position.
See the full range on the plastic roll wedges and chocks page and in the wedges and chocks collection. Related guides: how to secure rolls to a pallet, plastic vs wood pallets for food and pharma.
Frequently asked questions
Do plastic wedges need ISPM 15 treatment?
No. ISPM 15 phytosanitary rules apply to wooden packaging materials. Plastic wedges are not subject to them.
Can plastic roll wedges be reused?
The KU04 wedges and the SB01 and SB02 kits are reusable and multi-cycle. The KU10 is an economy wedge designed for one-way shipments where the wedges stay with the customer.
Do plastic wedges hold on smooth plastic pallets?
Choose a version with rubber pads: KU10-2S, KU04-570 or KU04-1143. The pads grip plastic pallet surfaces.
Tell us the diameter and weight of your rolls and how they are shipped: request a quote.