Wooden Pallet Heat Treatment

ISPM15, also know as Heat Treatment Service, for wooden pallets is a commonly used term across in the export related wooden packaging industry. But what exactly is ISPM-15 standard? The International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM15) is one of a number of international standards that regulate wood packaging materials in accordance with the 1951 International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). A multilateral treaty ratified by 176 United Nations member states, the IPCC aims to co-ordinate action to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases. In India, this standard has been adopted as NSPM-09 which is the National Standards for Phytosanitary Measures that has been adopted in accordance to the ISPM15 standard.

The main purpose of ISPM-15 is to prevent the spread of insects and disease that could have a negative impact on plants and ecosystems as a result of solid wood packaging used in the international transport of goods. As per the regulations of wood packaging material in international trade, the wooden pallet have to undergo an approved treatment such as the core of the wooden pallet is exposed to 56 degree Celsius for at-least 30 minutes before being marked as approved for export. It is proven that the heat treatment process severely restricts the growth of any pest or fungi in the wooden material. However, it is also important that such wooden pallets (post heat treatment process) are kept under quarantine condition free from excess moisture or water.

Recently, heat treatment method has become quite popular at it is quick, safe and reliable as compared to use of Methyl bromide, a carcinogen which is generally used for fumigation purposes. As a result a lot of countries, especially European countries,  have stopped using methyl bromide for fumigation purposes for wooden packaging.

Narayani Industries is an authorized heat treatment provider. We provide all types of heat treated wooden pallets, wooden boxes and wooden crates conforming to the standards of ISPM15.