Wooden Heat Treatment
Wooden heat treatment (ISPM 15)
One of the primary requirements of ISPM 15 is the heat treatment of wood packaging materials, such as pallets, crates, and dunnage, to ensure that any potential pests or pathogens present in the wood are killed. This treatment is often referred to as “ISPM 15 heat treatment” or “heat treatment for ISPM 15 compliance.”
Shawon Enterprise understands & maintain the specific heat treatment requirements outlined by ISPM 15 include:
Temperature:
The wood must be heated to a minimum core temperature of 56°C (132.8°F) for at least 30 minutes. This temperature and duration are sufficient to eliminate most pests and diseases that could be present in the wood.
Certification:
After heat treatment, the wood packaging materials must be properly marked with an approved and recognizable stamp or mark that indicates compliance with ISPM 15 standards. This marking certifies that the wood has undergone the required treatment.
Regulations:
ISPM 15 is recognized internationally and is implemented by many countries to regulate the movement of wood packaging materials across borders. Any wood packaging materials that do not comply with ISPM 15 requirements could be subject to quarantine or other regulatory measures upon entering a new country.
If you’re involved in international trade and deal with wood packaging materials, it’s essential to ensure that your materials comply with ISPM 15 standards to avoid potential delays and issues at customs. Keep in mind that regulations and requirements can evolve, so it’s a good practice to stay updated with the latest guidelines from your country’s plant protection agency or relevant international organizations.
Most Export Troubles Loom in the Smallest Details
Shawon Enterprise understands the issues and complexities of treating solid wood packaging and the ISPM-15 program.
Plant Pests
Heat treatment or fumigation of solid wood packaging helps prevent the transport of plant pests from one country to another.
Heat Treatment
The heating process must achieve a minimum wood core temperature of 56° Celsius (greater than 130°F) for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Fumigation
Fumigation of pallets and crates using methyl bromide is also an acceptable practice, but not as widely used as heat treatment.
Requirements
Treated pallets must display the IPPC mark. Some countries require extra paperwork or bark treatment in addition to treating.
Why Choosing Us
We are one of the largest wooden pallets manufacturers in Bangladesh. Wooden pallets are well known as the top choice in the manufacturing industries for its effective costs, life time, customization and reliability.
With decade of experience and in-depth knowledge, we come out with a variety of wooden pallets of different sizes and quantity to meet the international standards and market needs. Besides, we also produce Mixed Hardwood (MHW) pallets with optional Pine Wood pallets, which is believed to be the trend of the market in the future.
When choosing a company for wooden heat treatment for export, you can expected & consider things like:
Compliance:
Whether the company can ensure compliance with international regulations, such as ISPM-15.
Quality control:
Whether the company can provide quality control and customized solutions .
Experience:
Whether the company has experience in wooden pallets and crates.
Heat-treated wooden pallets are important for exporting goods because they:
Comply with regulations
They meet international shipping standards and help ensure safe transportation of products.
Protect against pests and diseases
The heat treatment process kills bugs in the wood, reducing the risk of infestations and contamination.
Increase durability
Heat treatment strengthens the timber, making the pallets more resistant to rot and less likely to sustain damage during transportation.
Reduce costs
Heat-treated pallets can help minimize costs by reducing the time spent in quarantine and the risk of delays and fines .
Protect the environment
Heat treatment is environmentally friendly and doesn't use chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wooden Heat Treatment:
What is Wooden Heat Treatment?
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A process where wood is heated to a specific temperature range (typically between 180°C and 260°C) in a kiln to modify its properties.
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It is a natural treatment, using only heat and steam, without adding any chemicals.
How does it work?
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High temperatures cause the wood's natural resins and volatile compounds to evaporate, reducing moisture content and altering the wood's cell structure.
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This process leads to changes in the wood's chemical composition, making it more resistant to decay and insect damage.
What are the benefits of Wooden Heat Treatment?
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Increased durability: Improved resistance to rot and decay caused by fungi and insects.
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Dimensional stability: Reduced warping and shrinkage due to moisture fluctuations.
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Improved weather resistance: Better performance outdoors against rain and sun exposure.
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Aesthetic appeal: Can change the wood's color depending on the treatment temperature.
What temperature range is typically used for heat treatment?
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Most common heat treatment temperatures range from 180°C to 260°C.
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Temperatures below 140°C may not significantly alter wood properties, while temperatures exceeding 300°C can severely degrade the wood.
What are common applications for heat-treated wood?
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Outdoor furniture: Garden benches, tables, chairs due to its weather resistance.
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Decking: Outdoor flooring on patios and walkways.
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Cladding: Exterior wall paneling.
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Sauna benches: High heat tolerance makes it suitable for sauna environments.
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Pallets: Used for shipping goods due to its durability and ability to meet international phytosanitary standards.
What does ISPM15 stand for?
ISPM15 stands for International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures number 15.
Where can I check current ISPM standards for specific countries?
Further information is available on the ISPM pages of this website www.ispm15.com
Do I need any form of certification to accompany Heat Treated pallets?
To some countries, the IPPC marking on wooden pallet is sufficient. However there are certain countries that requires accompanying certificate. Customers are advice to check with the reciving country for their requirements.
What does Heat Treatment mean?
The Heat Treatment stamp on a pallet ensures that the timber has been heat treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for a minimum of 30 minutes - which is the ISPM15 standard.
Is ISPM 15 treatment of a timber pallet permanent?
There is no shelf life for pallets treated with Heat Treatment. However, the possiblitity of reinfestation is there even after the treatment process. Therefore customers are advice to do the following:
1. To ship out treated WPM the earliest possible time.
2. To keep treated WPM in a clean and dry space.
3. To ensure that treated WPM are kept at least 5 meters away from non treated palle.
Do other countries follow the ISPM 15 treatment standards?
Many countries operate a treatment and marking programme similar to Malaysia whereby each pallet can be traced back to a particular country and manufacturer.
Why Choose Heat-Treatment over Chemically-Treated Pallets?
We think that heat treatment is the only safe method for two reasons. First, the U.S. EPA is strongly advocating that the chemical Methyl Bromide be phased out of use due to its toxicity and its alleged effects of contributing to the Ozone level depletion problem.
Secondly, we believe that the use of this chemical creates the potential for legal liability both for you, the shipper, and us, as well as creating intolerable health risks for our employees and all humans who come in contact during the loading, shipping, and unloading operations. Hence, heat treatment is safe, effective and has no legal implications.
What if I skip the treatment and decided to ship my products anyway, will it still be accepted by the destination country?
Like we had mentioned before the purpose of heat treating your pallets is to prevent insect or fungi infestations from being transmitted via wood packing materials since shipping pallets often are sent from country to country. If the treatment is not performed, the shipper may be subjected to fines and its product seized for destruction.
What kind of materials are exempted for Heat Treatment?
1. Processed Wood Eg Plywood, compressed wood.
2. Plastic, paper and metal pallets.
3. Bio Composite materials.
