Mục lục
- Comparison table of 5 pallet wood types
- Characteristics of each wood and when to use it
- Choosing the wood by load weight
- Moisture and kiln drying: the deciding factor for mould and warping
- Hardwood and softwood grouping
- Are acacia and melaleuca the same wood?
- Supply source and region affect price
- Related articles
- Frequently asked questions about pallet wood types
- Contact and wooden pallet quote from ICD
Wooden pallets are made from five main woods: acacia, rubberwood, pine, melaleuca and engineered board. Each differs in strength, moisture resistance, mould resistance, weight and cost, which makes each suited to different industries. Choosing the wrong wood means pallets that mould in a damp warehouse, snap under heavy loads, or cost more than needed. This guide compares all five woods with a spec table, how to pick by load weight and industry, plus key notes on moisture and kiln drying.
Comparison table of 5 pallet wood types
Real figures by density, strength, moisture resistance and service life for each wood ICD produces.
| Criterion | Acacia | Rubberwood | Pine | Melaleuca | Engineered MDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm3) | 0.65-0.75 | 0.55-0.65 | 0.40-0.50 | 0.60-0.70 | 0.70-0.80 |
| Mechanical strength | Very good | Fair to good | Good | Good | Average |
| Natural mould resistance | Good | Very good | Average | Good | Poor |
| Moisture resistance | Good after drying | Good | Average | Good | Very poor |
| Weight (1100 x 1100) | 20-25 kg | 17-22 kg | 12-17 kg | 18-23 kg | 22-28 kg |
| Service life in warehouse | 4-6 years | 3-5 years | 3-4 years | 3-5 years | 1-2 years |
| Reference price each | VND 230,000 | VND 200,000 | VND 300,000 | VND 185,000 | VND 130,000 |
Characteristics of each wood and when to use it
Acacia: the most durable, for heavy loads
High density at 0.65-0.75 g/cm3, very good mechanical strength, and a service life of 4-6 years in the warehouse. Acacia is the choice for loads above 1.5 tonnes, high-turnover warehouses, and exports to Japan and Korea (suppliers to Samsung, LG and Toyota typically require acacia). After kiln drying it resists moisture well. It is the best balance of durability and cost.
Rubberwood: mould resistant, good for food
The best natural mould resistance and moisture resistance of the five woods. Suited to the food industry, non-frozen F&B and damp warehouses. Lighter than acacia (17-22 kg) so it is easier to handle. Its mechanical strength is fair to good, so it is not used for very heavy loads.
Pine: light, attractive, good for EU/US exports
The lightest (12-17 kg, density 0.40-0.50) with attractive grain, favoured by the EU and US for export pallets. However, its moisture and mould resistance are only average, so it needs thorough kiln drying and dry storage. It costs more than acacia because pine is imported.
Melaleuca: cheap, fine for medium loads
The lowest price among the natural woods (VND 185,000), with fair durability and moisture resistance. Suited to medium loads of 500 kg to 1 tonne, domestic warehouses and tight budgets. A good balance of price and quality for general use.
Engineered MDF: cheapest, single use
The lowest price (VND 130,000) but very poor moisture resistance, a service life of only 1-2 years, and not for outdoor storage. Suited to one-way exports, light goods and single use. Advantage: it is usually exempt from ISPM-15 fumigation because it is heat-treated during manufacture.
Choosing the wood by load weight
| Load requirement | Suitable wood | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 kg (light goods) | Melaleuca, MDF, small acacia | VND 130,000-185,000 |
| 500 kg - 1 tonne | Rubberwood or melaleuca | VND 185,000-210,000 |
| 1 - 1.5 tonnes | Acacia or rubberwood | VND 200,000-230,000 |
| 1.5 - 2 tonnes | Acacia (required) | From VND 230,000 |
| Over 2 tonnes, multi-tier stacking | Heavy-duty acacia | From VND 450,000 |
Moisture and kiln drying: the deciding factor for mould and warping
Why moisture matters more than the wood
Wood that is not kiln dried to the right moisture content will mould, shrink and warp even if it is a good species. Export pallets need a moisture content below 18-20 percent; goods entering cold storage need drying below 15 percent to prevent shrinkage when frozen. Ask about the moisture content when ordering, not just the wood species.
Which wood for damp and cold warehouses
Damp warehouses favour rubberwood (the best natural mould resistance). Cold storage below -18 degrees Celsius uses acacia dried below 15 percent moisture so it does not shrink. Engineered MDF should never be used for damp or cold warehouses because it absorbs moisture and crumbles.
Hardwood and softwood grouping
The five woods split into groups by density and strength, which makes it quick to choose by use.
| Group | Wood | Characteristics and use |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | Acacia, rubberwood, melaleuca | High density, high load capacity, durable, suited to heavy-duty rotating pallets |
| Softwood | Pine | Light, easy to work, lower load, suited to one-way EU/US exports |
| Engineered wood | MDF | Uniform, cheap, poor moisture resistance, single use |
At the same load, softwood needs thicker boards and more bottom runners than hardwood to make up for strength, so do not compare price by wood type alone while ignoring the specification.
Are acacia and melaleuca the same wood?
Traders often lump them together as “melaleuca acacia”, but acacia (the Acacia genus) and melaleuca are two different groups of trees. ICD prices them separately because acacia has a higher density and carries load better (acacia at VND 230,000 versus melaleuca at VND 185,000). Choose acacia for heavy loads; choose melaleuca for medium loads on a tight budget.
Supply source and region affect price
Most Vietnamese wooden pallets are made from acacia and melaleuca. Acacia is common and cheap in the north, rubberwood is readily sourced in the south, while pine must be imported, making it costlier and prone to mould in Vietnam’s humid climate. ICD has warehouses in both the north and the south, so it can secure supply by delivery region to optimise price and lead time.
Wooden export pallets must also be heat-treated to the ISPM-15 standard and stamped after fumigation. See how to read the stamp and obtain the certificate in our article on the fumigation stamp on pallets.
Related articles
| ICD wooden pallets, all types | Rubberwood vs pine compared | Is melaleuca wood any good? |
Frequently asked questions about pallet wood types
1. Which is better for pallets, acacia or rubberwood?
Acacia is stronger and carries heavy loads better (up to over 1.5 tonnes), with a 4-6 year service life. Rubberwood resists mould and moisture better, suiting the food industry and damp warehouses. Choose acacia for heavy loads, rubberwood for damp environments.
2. Which wood is cheapest for pallets?
Engineered MDF is the cheapest (VND 130,000) but is single use with poor moisture resistance. Among natural woods, melaleuca is the cheapest (VND 185,000) and is far more durable than engineered board.
3. Is pine good for pallets?
Pine is light with attractive grain and is favoured by the EU and US for export. Its drawback is that moisture and mould resistance are only average, so it needs thorough kiln drying and dry storage. It costs more than acacia.
4. Can engineered-board pallets be used in cold storage?
Not advisable. Engineered MDF absorbs moisture and crumbles, with very poor moisture resistance and a service life of only 1-2 years. Cold storage needs acacia dried below 15 percent moisture.
5. What moisture content is acceptable for a wooden pallet?
Export pallets need a moisture content below 18-20 percent. Goods entering cold storage need drying below 15 percent to prevent shrinkage when frozen. High moisture causes mould and warping even in good wood.
6. Are acacia and melaleuca the same wood?
No. Acacia belongs to the Acacia genus and melaleuca is a different group of trees, even though they are often lumped together as “melaleuca acacia”. Acacia has a higher density so it carries load better and costs more than melaleuca. Choose acacia for heavy loads, melaleuca for medium loads.
7. Is eucalyptus good for pallets?
Eucalyptus is a hardwood with a longer service life than pine, used for heavy industry. ICD standardises five lines (acacia, rubberwood, pine, melaleuca and engineered board) for the best balance of durability, supply and price; for heavy-load needs, acacia already delivers comparable performance.
Contact and wooden pallet quote from ICD
ICD Viet Nam Industrial Production Company Limited
North: Floor 3, Thang Long A1 Building, Bau Hamlet, Thien Loc Commune, Hanoi - 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
South: 551/212 Le Van Khuong, Tan Thoi Hiep, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City - 098 6784 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn · Zalo: Chat on Zalo now
Tell us your load weight, warehouse environment and export market, and ICD will advise the right wood and moisture content and provide a wholesale quote the same day. Two-year manufacturer warranty.
