Mục lục
- Comparison table: 5 wood types for pallet manufacturing
- Characteristics of each wood type and when to use them
- Choosing wood type by load capacity
- Moisture content and drying: the factor that determines mould and warping
- Hardwood and softwood groupings
- Are acacia and melaleuca the same species?
- Supply regions and how they affect price
- Related articles
- Frequently asked questions about wood types for pallets
- Contact ICD Vietnam
Wood pallets are made from 5 main wood types: acacia, rubber wood, pine, melaleuca and MDF engineered board. Each differs in durability, moisture resistance, mould resistance, weight and price, which means each suits a different industry and application. Choosing the wrong species leads to mould in a damp warehouse, breakage under heavy loads, or unnecessary cost. This guide compares all five in detail with a specification table, a load-based selection guide, and key notes on moisture content and drying.
Comparison table: 5 wood types for pallet manufacturing
Figures based on actual density, durability, moisture resistance and service life of the species ICD currently produces.
| Criterion | Acacia | Rubber wood | Pine | Melaleuca | MDF board |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Medium-good | Good | Good | Medium |
| Natural mould resistance | Good | Very good | Medium | Good | Poor |
| Moisture resistance | Good after drying | Good | Medium | Good | Very poor |
| Weight per 1100×1100 pallet | 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 per pallet | 230,000 VND | 200,000 VND | 300,000 VND | 185,000 VND | 130,000 VND |
Characteristics of each wood type and when to use them
Acacia - strongest, best for heavy loads
High density of 0.65-0.75 g/cm3, very good mechanical strength, and a service life of 4-6 years in the warehouse. Acacia is the right choice for loads over 1.5 tonnes, high-turnover warehouses, and exports to Japan or South Korea (Samsung, LG and imported hardwood suppliers often require acacia pallets). After proper drying, moisture resistance is good. It offers the best balance between durability and price among all five species.
Rubber wood - mould-resistant, suitable for food
The best natural mould resistance and moisture resistance of all five species. Well suited to food and F&B industries (non-frozen), and damp warehouses. Lighter than acacia at 17-22 kg, making it easier to handle. Mechanical strength is medium to good, so it is not recommended for very heavy loads.
Pine - lightweight, attractive, preferred for EU and US exports
The lightest option (12-17 kg, density 0.40-0.50 g/cm3) with an attractive grain pattern. Pine is favoured by EU and US buyers for export pallets. However, moisture resistance and mould resistance are only medium, so thorough drying and dry storage conditions are essential. Price is higher than acacia because pine must be imported.
Melaleuca - low cost, adequate for medium loads
The lowest price among natural wood species at 185,000 VND per pallet, with good durability and moisture resistance. Suitable for loads from 500 kg to 1 tonne, domestic warehouses, and budget-conscious buyers. Melaleuca offers a good balance between price and quality for general-purpose use.
MDF engineered board - cheapest, single-use
Lowest price at 130,000 VND per pallet, but very poor moisture resistance and a service life of only 1-2 years. Not suitable for outdoor storage. Best for one-way export shipments, light loads, and single-use applications. One advantage: MDF is typically exempt from ISPM-15 heat treatment requirements because the manufacturing process already applies heat.
Choosing wood type by load capacity
| Load requirement | Suitable wood type | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 kg (light loads) | Melaleuca, MDF, small-section acacia | 130,000-185,000 VND |
| 500 kg - 1 tonne | Rubber wood or melaleuca | 185,000-210,000 VND |
| 1 - 1.5 tonnes | Acacia or rubber wood | 200,000-230,000 VND |
| 1.5 - 2 tonnes | Acacia (required) | From 230,000 VND |
| Over 2 tonnes, multi-tier stacking | Heavy-duty acacia | From 450,000 VND |
Moisture content and drying: the factor that determines mould and warping
Why moisture content matters more than species
Wood that has not been dried to the correct moisture level will mould, shrink and warp regardless of how strong the species is. Export pallets need moisture content below 18-20%; pallets entering frozen storage need to be dried below 15% to prevent shrinkage when frozen. Always ask for the moisture content specification when ordering - do not only ask about the wood species.
Which wood to choose for damp and cold-storage warehouses
Damp warehouses should prioritise rubber wood, which has the best natural mould resistance. Cold-storage warehouses below -18 degrees Celsius require well-dried acacia with moisture content below 15% to prevent shrinkage. MDF engineered board must never be used in damp or cold-storage warehouses as it absorbs moisture and becomes brittle.
Hardwood and softwood groupings
The five wood types fall into two groups by density and durability, which helps narrow down the right choice quickly.
| Group | Wood types | Characteristics and use |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | Acacia, rubber wood, melaleuca | High density, heavy load capacity, durable - suitable for reusable heavy-load pallets |
| Softwood | Pine | Light, easy to work, lower load capacity - well suited to one-way EU/US exports |
| Engineered board | MDF | Uniform, low cost, very poor moisture resistance - single-use applications |
At the same load rating, softwood requires thicker boards and more bottom stringers than hardwood to compensate for lower strength. Do not compare prices by species alone without checking the board dimensions.
Are acacia and melaleuca the same species?
Traders sometimes group them together as “tram keo” (melaleuca-acacia), but acacia (Acacia genus) and melaleuca are distinct species. ICD prices them separately because acacia has higher density and better load capacity - acacia at 230,000 VND versus melaleuca at 185,000 VND. Choose acacia for heavy loads; choose melaleuca for medium loads on a tighter budget.
Supply regions and how they affect price
Most wood pallets in Vietnam are made from acacia and melaleuca. Acacia is abundant and affordable in the north; rubber wood is readily available in the south; pine must be imported, which raises its price and makes it more susceptible to mould in Vietnam’s humid climate. ICD has warehouses in both north and south, giving flexible supply by delivery region and helping optimise both price and lead time.
Export wood pallets must also be heat-treated to ISPM-15 standard and carry the heat-treatment mark. For details on how to read the mark and obtain the phytosanitary certificate, see the article on heat treatment marks on pallets.
Related articles
| ICD wood pallets - all types | Rubber wood vs pine: which is better for pallets | Is melaleuca wood good for pallets? |
Frequently asked questions about wood types for pallets
1. Which is better for pallets - acacia or rubber wood?
Acacia is stronger, handles heavier loads (over 1.5 tonnes) and lasts 4-6 years. Rubber wood has better natural mould and moisture resistance, making it ideal for food industry applications and damp warehouses. Choose acacia for heavy loads and rubber wood for humid environments.
2. Which wood type is the cheapest for pallets?
MDF engineered board is the cheapest at 130,000 VND per pallet, but it is single-use and has very poor moisture resistance. Among natural wood species, melaleuca is the most affordable at 185,000 VND and is far more durable than engineered board.
3. Is pine wood good for pallets?
Pine is the lightest option with an attractive grain, favoured by EU and US buyers for export pallets. The drawback is only medium moisture and mould resistance, so thorough drying and dry storage are essential. Price is higher than acacia due to import costs.
4. Can MDF engineered board pallets be used in cold storage?
No. MDF absorbs moisture and becomes brittle, with a service life of only 1-2 years. Cold-storage warehouses require well-dried acacia with moisture content below 15%.
5. What moisture content should a wood pallet have?
Export pallets need moisture content below 18-20%. Pallets going into frozen storage need to be dried below 15% to prevent shrinkage when frozen. High moisture content causes mould and warping regardless of the wood species.
6. Are acacia and melaleuca the same wood?
No. Acacia belongs to the Acacia genus and melaleuca is a different species, even though they are often grouped together informally. Acacia has higher density, better load capacity and a higher price (230,000 VND versus 185,000 VND for melaleuca). Choose acacia for heavy loads and melaleuca for medium loads.
7. Is eucalyptus (white gum) wood good for pallets?
Eucalyptus is a hardwood with a longer service life than pine and is used in heavy industry. ICD standardises on the five species - acacia, rubber wood, pine, melaleuca and MDF - because they offer the best balance of durability, supply availability and price. For heavy-load requirements, acacia already performs at a comparable level.
Contact ICD Vietnam
Hotline: 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn | Zalo: Chat Zalo
