A Lightweight, High-Strength Alternative to Wood, Steel and Plastic Dunnage

Manufacturers handling heavy goods increasingly seek recyclable pallet blocks that reduce weight, improve ergonomics, and support sustainability targets — without compromising load performance.

Kinnareds Well, part of Ryleon, has developed water-resistant corrugated dunnage (corrugated pads) designed to replace wood, steel, and plastic pallet blocks in demanding industrial environments.

These engineered corrugated pads function as spacer blocks, stacking blocks, and load supports for heavy goods — offering high compression strength while remaining lightweight and fully recyclable.

This article explains how recyclable, water-resistant corrugated pallet blocks can replace traditional wood, steel, and plastic dunnage in heavy-duty industrial applications.

What Are Recyclable Corrugated Pallet Blocks (Corrugated Pads)?

Water-resistant corrugated pallet block made from recyclable fibre, lightweight high-strength dunnage for heavy load support.

Recyclable pallet blocks (corrugated pads) are fibre-based load supports used to:

  • Stabilise heavy stacked goods

  • Distribute weight evenly

  • Enable forklift handling

  • Protect products during storage and transport

Our solution consists of engineered corrugated pads bonded with wheat-starch adhesive and PVA glue, using the same water-based adhesive technology to apply the protective coating. The pads are finished with a water-based coating that enhances moisture resistance while maintaining recyclability.

The coating not only improves resistance to humidity but also increases structural strength by approximately 30%, ensuring reliable performance in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Why Replace Wood, Steel and Plastic Pallet Blocks?

Traditional dunnage materials solve one problem — strength — but create others.

Wood Dunnage

Stacked wood dunnage beams used as traditional pallet blocks for heavy load support in industrial transport and storage.
  • Heavy and material-intensive

  • Difficult to recycle when contaminated

  • Inconsistent quality

Steel Supports

Galvanized steel dunnage supports used as heavy-duty pallet blocks for industrial load stabilisation and transport.
  • Often over-specified

  • High CO₂ footprint

  • Excess weight increases transport cost

Plastic Pallet Blocks

Black plastic pallet blocks used as traditional dunnage supports for heavy load stabilisation in transport and storage applications.
  • Fossil-based material

  • Increasing regulatory scrutiny

  • Risk of deformation under sustained heavy loads


For many industries, the real requirement is clear:

Reliable strength under load — without unnecessary weight, material complexity, or harmful environmental impact.

High-Strength, Water-Resistant Corrugated Dunnage

The recyclable pallet blocks combine:

High compression strength suitable for heavy stacked goods
Water-resistant performance in humid environments
Lightweight construction improving ergonomics
100% recyclability in standard paper streams
FSC®-certified* fibre for responsible sourcing (*FSC® C208912)
Custom-engineered dimensions

Despite their low weight, pilot testing confirms the corrugated pads withstand significant compression loads without deformation under demanding industrial conditions.

Lightweight does not mean weaker — it means material efficiency.

Supporting PPWR and CO₂ Reduction Targets

As customers face increasing pressure from regulations such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and internal Scope 3 reduction targets, recyclable pallet blocks offer measurable advantages:

  • Reduced fossil-based material use

  • Improved mono-material recyclability

  • Lower transport emissions due to reduced weight

  • Simplified waste handling at end of life

Fibre-based dunnage provides a practical path toward reducing environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency.

Comparison: Corrugated vs Wood, Steel and Plastic Dunnage


Criteria

Corrugated (Water-Resistant)

Wood

Steel

Plastic

Weight

Very lightweight

Heavy

Very heavy

Medium

Load strength

High

High

Very high

Medium

Moisture resistance

Water-resistant

Moisture-sensitive

Unaffected

Unaffected

Recyclability

100% paper recycling

Limited/variable

Recyclable (energy-intensive)

Often limited

CO₂ footprint

Low

Medium

High

Medium–high

Customisation

Highly flexible

Limited

Limited

Medium

For many industrial applications, corrugated pallet blocks provide sufficient strength while significantly improving weight efficiency and recyclability.

Typical Applications

Recyclable corrugated pads are suitable for:

Construction & Building Materials

  • Plasterboard and gypsum boards

  • Insulation panels

  • Doors and prefabricated elements

Metals & Industrial Goods

  • Metal sheets

  • Heavy components

  • Stacked industrial products

Furniture & Interior

  • Flat-packed furniture

  • Cabinetry

  • Worktops

Logistics & Pallet Systems

  • EU pallet support

  • Stacking pads

  • Interlayers

  • Recyclable load blocks

Real-World Feedback

“The reduced weight makes a real difference for our employees. These corrugated pads are much easier to handle, while still meeting our load requirements.”
– Pilot customer


“We were initially sceptical about whether paper-based dunnage could handle our loads. The compression tests showed performance comparable to our previous wood blocks.”
– Pilot customer

Technical Overview

  • Material: Fibre-based corrugated board

  • Adhesive: Wheat-starch based

  • Coating: Water-based moisture barrier

  • Recyclability: 100% paper stream

  • Certification: FSC® (FSC® C208912)

  • Custom formats: Available

Interested in Learning More About Waterproof Corrugated Dunnage?

For more guidance or to discuss your specific requirements, we warmly invite you to contact us. Our team will be pleased to explore how recyclable corrugated pallet blocks can support your load performance, efficiency, and sustainability objectives.


About Ryleon

Ryleon is a European group providing sustainable packaging and security solutions that protect physical goods throughout transport and handling. The group specialises in fibre-based protective packaging and tamper-evident solutions, helping customers meet performance, regulatory, and sustainability requirements.

Protecting what matters – our customers’ products and the world we live in.

Najczęściej Zadawane Pytania

What are recyclable pallet blocks?
Can corrugated pallet blocks support heavy loads?
Is water-resistant corrugated dunnage suitable for humid or outdoor environments?
Can corrugated pallet blocks replace wood dunnage?
How do recyclable pallet blocks compare to plastic pallet blocks?
Are corrugated pallet blocks fully recyclable?
Do recyclable pallet blocks help reduce CO₂ emissions?
Can corrugated pallet blocks be customised for specific load requirements?