Metal Pallets
When strength, fire resistance, and longevity matter most. Steel and aluminum pallets deliver unmatched performance in the world's most demanding industrial environments.
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Built to Last a Lifetime
Metal pallets represent the highest tier of material handling equipment. With lifespans of 15-30+ years and load capacities exceeding 5,000 lbs, they are the go-to solution for heavy-duty, high-value, and safety-critical operations.
While the upfront cost is higher than wood or plastic, the total cost of ownership is often the lowest of all pallet materials — especially in closed-loop systems where the same pallets circulate for decades.
30+
Year lifespan
5,500
Lbs max capacity
100%
Recyclable steel
0%
Combustibility
Extreme Load Capacity
Steel pallets support up to 5,500 lbs in dynamic loading and over 15,000 lbs in static applications — far exceeding wood and plastic.
Fire Resistance
Metal pallets are non-combustible and certified for use in fire-sensitive environments including paint booths, chemical plants, and ammunition storage.
Corrosion Protection
Galvanized steel and powder-coated finishes resist rust, chemicals, and environmental exposure. Stainless steel options for the most corrosive environments.
Zero Maintenance
No boards to replace, no nails to tighten, no splinters to worry about. Metal pallets require virtually no maintenance over their entire service life.
Dimensional Precision
CNC-fabricated to exact tolerances, metal pallets work flawlessly with automated systems, AS/RS, and precision robotics.
Steel vs. Aluminum
Both metals deliver exceptional performance. Your choice depends on load requirements, weight sensitivity, and operating environment.
Steel Pallets
The ultimate in strength and durability. Steel pallets handle the heaviest loads in the most demanding environments. Built with welded steel construction, they resist impact, corrosion, and fire — making them indispensable in automotive, aerospace, and heavy manufacturing.
Aluminum Pallets
Lightweight yet remarkably strong. Aluminum pallets weigh 40-60% less than steel while maintaining excellent load capacity. Ideal for airfreight, cleanroom environments, and operations where weight reduction directly impacts shipping costs.
Built for the Toughest Industries
Metal pallets are the standard in industries where failure is not an option.
Automotive Manufacturing
Heavy-duty steel pallets for engine blocks, transmissions, body panels, and assembly line components. Resist oils, coolants, and factory floor wear.
Pharmaceutical & Cleanroom
Stainless steel and aluminum pallets for GMP-compliant environments. Easy to sanitize, no particle shedding, resistant to cleaning agents.
Aerospace & Defense
Precision-built aluminum pallets for aircraft parts, avionics, and military equipment. Lightweight for airfreight with extreme load stability.
Outdoor & Yard Storage
Galvanized steel pallets for permanent outdoor storage. Weather-resistant coatings protect against rain, snow, UV, and temperature extremes.
Fire-Sensitive Environments
Non-combustible metal pallets for paint booths, chemical storage, ammunition depots, and any facility where fire safety is critical.
Cold Chain & Freezer
Metal pallets maintain structural integrity in extreme cold. No moisture absorption, no warping, and no risk of bacterial contamination at sub-zero temperatures.
Surface Treatments
Hot-Dip Galvanized
Zinc coating for outdoor and corrosive environments. Provides 20+ years of corrosion protection in most conditions.
Powder Coated
Durable, chip-resistant finish available in any color. Ideal for branded pallets, color-coded inventory, and indoor use.
Stainless Steel
For the most aggressive environments — food processing, chemical plants, and marine applications. Superior corrosion resistance.
Anodized Aluminum
Hardened aluminum surface for enhanced wear resistance and a professional finish. Common in aerospace and electronics.
Standard & Custom Metal Pallet Sizes
We stock metal pallets in the most common industrial sizes and can fabricate custom dimensions to match your exact requirements. All metal pallets are manufactured to tight dimensional tolerances for compatibility with automated handling equipment.
48" x 40"
Standard GMA footprint in steel or aluminum. Drop-in replacement for wood pallets in racking systems, trucks, and warehouse equipment. The most popular metal pallet size for general industrial use.
48" x 48"
Square format for drum handling, chemical storage, and heavy industrial components. The extra surface area provides stability for oversized loads and 55-gallon drums. Common in petrochemical and manufacturing facilities.
42" x 42"
Telecom and industrial standard. Used heavily in telecommunications equipment shipping, data center operations, and paint industry. The symmetrical design ensures equal load distribution from all orientations.
36" x 36"
Compact metal pallet for smaller loads and space-constrained operations. Popular in aerospace component shipping, laboratory equipment, and precision manufacturing where space efficiency is critical.
47.24" x 31.50"
Euro standard dimensions (1200 x 800 mm) in steel or aluminum construction. Required for European distribution centers and compatible with EU-standard racking and handling systems.
Custom Dimensions
Our fabrication facility produces metal pallets to any dimension. Whether you need oversized platforms for heavy machinery or miniature pallets for precision instruments, we engineer and build to your exact specifications.
Why Metal Pallets Are a Smart Investment
Metal pallets have the highest upfront cost of any pallet material, but their extraordinary lifespan of 15 to 30 or more years means the total cost of ownership is often the lowest of any option. For closed-loop systems, metal pallets deliver unbeatable value.
The Long-Term Math
A standard steel pallet costs approximately $100 to $150 and lasts 20 or more years in a typical industrial environment. Over that same period, you would need to replace a wood pallet 5 to 7 times at $8 to $12 per unit, totaling $40 to $84 in replacement costs — plus labor for inspecting, replacing, and disposing of damaged wood pallets.
Metal pallets also eliminate hidden costs that accumulate with other materials. There are no nails to cause product damage, no splinters to injure workers, no boards to crack under heavy loads, and no moisture absorption to cause weight variation or mold growth. In regulated industries like pharmaceuticals and food processing, metal pallets reduce audit preparation time and compliance risk.
For operations using automated storage and retrieval systems, metal pallets provide the dimensional consistency that prevents jams, misfeeds, and system downtime. A single AS/RS jam caused by a warped or damaged pallet can cost thousands of dollars in lost productivity. Metal pallets virtually eliminate this risk.
At end of life — typically 20 to 30 years from purchase — metal pallets retain significant scrap value. Steel pallets can be sold to metal recyclers for $5 to $15 depending on weight and market conditions. Aluminum pallets hold even higher scrap value at $10 to $25 per unit. This residual value further reduces the effective cost of ownership.
Design Features & Customization Options
Metal pallets can be engineered with a wide range of features to match your specific operational needs. From stackable designs to integrated automation features, every aspect can be customized.
Stackable Designs
Corner posts and interlocking features allow empty metal pallets to stack securely, saving up to 60% of floor space compared to flat storage. Stackable designs are essential for return logistics and empty pallet management.
Forklift Pockets
Four-way entry openings sized for standard forklifts and pallet jacks. Reinforced pocket edges prevent damage from repeated handling. Custom pocket dimensions available for specialized equipment.
Drain Holes
Perforated or slotted deck surfaces allow water drainage during cleaning and prevent liquid pooling that could contaminate products. Essential for food processing, chemical, and outdoor storage applications.
Anti-Slip Surfaces
Textured deck surfaces, diamond plate patterns, or applied anti-slip coatings prevent load shifting during transport. Critical for polished or smooth-bottomed products and high-speed conveyor systems.
RFID Integration
Embedded RFID tags for automated tracking and inventory management. Tags are protected within the pallet structure and can withstand years of industrial use without degradation or loss.
Containment Lips
Raised edges along the pallet perimeter prevent loads from sliding off during transit. Lip height is customizable from 1 inch for general containment to 4 or more inches for loose product retention.
Collapsible Frames
Hinged or removable side frames convert flat pallets into enclosed containers. Ideal for small parts, loose materials, and operations that need both flat pallets and container functionality.
Caster Mounts
Integrated mounting points for swivel or fixed casters, converting the pallet into a mobile cart. Popular in manufacturing, assembly lines, and warehouse operations where frequent repositioning is needed.
Custom Load Points
Engineered load-bearing surfaces and reinforcement patterns tailored to your specific product geometry. Ensures optimal weight distribution and prevents load concentration that could damage products or the pallet.
Metal Pallet Questions Answered
When should I choose steel over aluminum?
Choose steel when maximum load capacity is the priority and weight is not a concern. Steel pallets support up to 5,500 lbs in dynamic loading, compared to 4,400 lbs for aluminum. Steel is also less expensive per unit. Choose aluminum when weight reduction matters — for airfreight, frequent manual handling, or when reducing vehicle payload weight. Aluminum is also naturally corrosion-resistant without coatings, making it the better choice for wet environments.
Do metal pallets damage flooring or racking?
Properly designed metal pallets include radius edges, rounded runners, and smooth contact surfaces that are gentle on concrete floors, racking beams, and conveyor rollers. We can also add rubber or polymer bumpers to contact points for extra protection in sensitive environments. In our experience, well-designed metal pallets cause less racking damage than wood pallets, which often have protruding nails and rough edges.
Can metal pallets be used in cold storage or freezers?
Yes, metal pallets are excellent for cold chain and freezer environments. Unlike wood, metal does not absorb moisture, swell, or become a breeding ground for mold at any temperature. Steel and aluminum maintain full structural integrity down to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit and below. Stainless steel models are especially suited for cold chain food and pharmaceutical storage where sanitation requirements are strict.
What is the lead time for custom metal pallets?
Standard stocked sizes typically ship within 5 to 7 business days. Custom fabrication projects require 3 to 6 weeks depending on complexity, quantity, and current production capacity. For large orders of 500 or more units, we recommend starting the consultation process 6 to 8 weeks before your target delivery date. We can expedite production on a case-by-case basis for urgent requirements.
Are metal pallets compatible with automated warehouse systems?
Metal pallets are the preferred choice for many automated warehouse operations. CNC fabrication ensures every pallet meets exact dimensional tolerances, preventing jams and misfeeds in AS/RS systems, conveyor lines, and robotic handling equipment. Metal pallets also offer the structural rigidity needed for high-bay racking and gravity-flow systems where deflection under load must be minimized.
What happens to metal pallets at end of life?
Metal pallets are 100% recyclable. At the end of their 20 to 30 year lifespan, they can be sold to scrap metal dealers at market rates. Steel pallets typically recoup $5 to $15 in scrap value, while aluminum pallets may recoup $10 to $25 per unit. The scrap metal is melted down and reused in new steel or aluminum products, making metal pallets one of the most environmentally sustainable options available.
Why Choose EcoPallets Pro for Metal Pallets
In-House Fabrication
Our manufacturing facility produces steel and aluminum pallets using CNC laser cutting, robotic welding, and automated finishing lines. Full control of the manufacturing process ensures consistent quality and fast turnaround on custom orders.
Engineering Support
Our mechanical engineers provide free design consultations, load analysis, and FEA (finite element analysis) simulations to optimize your pallet design for strength, weight, and cost. We engineer to solve your specific material handling challenges.
Prototype Services
Before committing to a full production run, we build working prototypes for testing in your actual operating environment. Test with your products, racking, forklifts, and automated systems. Design revisions are free until the prototype is approved.
Volume Manufacturing
From 10 units to 10,000, our production lines scale to meet your volume requirements. Automated welding and finishing systems ensure consistent quality across large production runs with reliable delivery schedules.
Nationwide Delivery
We ship metal pallets anywhere in the continental United States via flatbed, LTL, or truckload carriers. Pallets are banded, wrapped, and stacked for safe transit. Freight costs are included in our quote so there are no surprises.
Lifetime Support
Our relationship does not end at delivery. We provide ongoing support including replacement parts, refinishing services, and design modifications for pallets we have manufactured. Many of our customers have been with us for over a decade.
Need Industrial-Grade Pallets?
Our metal pallet specialists will help you choose the right material, finish, and configuration for your operation. Custom fabrication available for non-standard requirements.