Dutch brick producers united in the Koninklijke Nederlandse Bouwkeramiek (KNB) will switch to using circular plastic return pallets. In collaboration with Circular Plastics as chain manager and pallet producer Cabka, a plastic return pallet has been developed. This will replace the wooden pallets in the entire logistics process, from factory to construction site, including the return and reuse of the pallets.

Within a period of two years, the design of the pallet has been realized and practical tests have been conducted with 1:1 scale models in various factories. Currently, 4,000 plastic pallets have been produced with a pilot mold for the pilot phase. The pallets will be intensively tested in the coming months in the laboratory, on the production lines of the brick producers, during transport to the customer, and on the construction site.

The following brick manufacturers are now gaining experience with the first production series: Caprice Baksteen – B.V. Steenfabriek Huissenswaard, Steenfabriek Engels Helden, Rodruza, Strating Gevelsteenmeesters, Steenfabriek De Rijswaard B.V., Vandersanden, and Wienerberger Nederland. Additionally, experiences are being gained during the trial deliveries to construction sites with the daily use of the pallets. The initial feedback on the pallet within the mission of a waste-free construction site is very positive.

All experiences will be recorded during this test period of several months and translated into possible design optimizations. Ultimately, based on a final design, the production of the plastic return pallets can start around mid-2025. A fine example of KNB ceramics (KNB) and its members actively following the path of preventing packaging waste, reducing the carbon footprint, and reusing these reusable plastic pallets.