Recyclable Paper Pallets
My Role: Design, execution of paper pallets. Ventured on a new idea with my father in lockdown to promote eco-friendly pallets.
Traditional Pallets: Traditionally, Pallets made of wood are extensively used to stack, store, protect and transport materials. They are usually handled using forklift or jacks.
Recyclable Paper pallets and its challenges: 200,000,000 trees are cut annually for the production of wooden pallets. And they are expensive too. Thus the idea for Recyclable Paper Pallets. But having a strength of carrying load till 6000 kgs like the wooden pallets, and their resistance towards water and oil was a big challenge.
Market Research: Conducting a customer survey about their requirements for a pallet, we came up with the projection graph. We took the help of the Peerless Research Group for this.
Our Design Approach: Our first design of the paper pallet was based on the honeycomb structure of paper sheets. On customer feedbacks, we improvised our structure with GSM changes, non-honeycomb structured paper mesh with vertical cylinders to provide strength. We applied coatings to protect it from water, hydrophilic substances and oil.
MVP: Version 1
Characteristics
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Strength: Carrying capacity up to 3000 kgs
Technology used: Corrugation honeycomb structure
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Water-resistance
Technology used: Hydrophobic coating -
Mobility: Only forklifts could lift it
Technology used: 2-way -
Cost: Expensive because of inefficient technology
Measure & Learn
Parameters for measuring feedback
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Strength
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Size and shape
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Mobility
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Cost
Learnings from V1
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Strength: Carrying capacity varies from 300 to 6000 kgs
Technology used: Corrugation honeycomb structure
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Resistance required to hydrophilic fluids
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Mobility: Multiple changes required to improve the leg's hold onto the pallet
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The concept of 2nd hand pallets
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Strapping and bolting of pallets required to support heavy goods
MVP: Version 2
Characteristics
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Strength customizations
Technology used: GSM changes, non-honeycomb structures paper mash construction
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Resistance to both oil and water
Technology used: Hydrophobic and hydrophilic chemicals coated -
Mobility: Rope-pulled, forklifted, pallet-jacked
Technology used: Vertical cylinders, glue-less groves created -
Cost: Economical because of effective technology
Business Model: Since this is a company confidential, for full pitch deck and business model of this idea, please get in touch with me on my e-mail: shikah12jitesh97@gmail.com
