Pallets for beverage bottling

01 Why these sizes

The trade sources describe 48 x 42 as a chemical and beverage size, ranked fifth in North American production, and list 36 x 36 and 48 x 36 as beverage sizes too. The footprint matches the case layout a palletizer builds.

02 Where

Cameron Coca-Cola is among the businesses in Washington, PA, which is where bottling pallets move.

03 Spec

04 Palletizer setup

A palletizer builds layers to a fixed footprint, so the pallet size is a line setting, not a choice made at the dock. Changing it means changing the machine.

05 Why bottles and cans are hard on pallets

Full beverage loads are among the densest in a warehouse. Cases of bottles, kegs and cans stack many layers high, so the bottom pallet carries the whole column for as long as the stack stands. A pallet that is fine under cartons of paper can sag under a column of liquid.

Wet floors, condensation from cold rooms and spilled product add moisture. Boards that stay damp can swell, stain the cartons above them or grow mould, so beverage buyers often ask for clean grade A or for plastic-free, dry, uniform stock.

06 What a dock usually specifies

• One footprint across the whole line so layer patterns repeat.
• Closed decks, since bottle bases and can ends catch on gaps.
• A stated load per pallet and a stated stack height.
• No protruding nails, which tear shrink wrap and cartons.

07 Returnable and one-way

Some beverage producers return pallets in a loop between plant and distributor, others ship one way. A loop calls for sturdy, uniform pallets; one-way shipments allow cheaper stock.

08 Beverage footprints in the rankings

PHS lists 36 x 36 inches ninth and 48 x 36 inches tenth among North American sizes, both with beverage use, alongside 48 x 42. In a 40 foot container, 42 x 42 wastes 11.5% of floor space.