When it comes to timber treatment, there can be some confusions on the differences between heat treated and kiln dried wood. Wooden pallets are used to transport millions of items every day, and damaged wood can be a costly problem. ISPM15 regulations require all wooden forms of packaging are heat treated before they are used for export, so it’s important to understand the differences.

Kiln dried refers to timber that has been dried in a kiln to reduce moisture content. Moisture in timber can cause lots of problems – including twisting, cracking, and shrinking – incurring costs for damages. Kiln drying serves to bring moisture levels down to a workable range.

Heat treated refers to wood that has been heated to a specific temperature, essential for international shipments and national deliveries. Untreated timber can be a hotbed for pests and diseases, which can be easily transported from one area of the world to another. Heat treating pallets is a necessary step to ensure pests and diseases are not carried abroad.