Heat Treatment vs Chemical Treatment: Which Is Better for Your Pallets?

When it comes to treating wood pallets for international shipping compliance under ISPM-15, there are two approved methods: heat treatment (HT) and methyl bromide fumigation (MB). While both satisfy the regulation, they're very different in practice, and one is clearly winning the future.

Heat treatment is exactly what it sounds like. Pallets are placed in a sealed chamber where the wood core temperature is raised to at least 56°C (133°F) for a minimum of 30 minutes. This process kills insects, larvae, and pathogens without any chemical residues. The wood emerges clean and ready for use.

Methyl bromide fumigation involves exposing the wood to methyl bromide gas, a powerful pesticide that penetrates the wood and kills pests. The treatment is effective but comes with significant drawbacks. Methyl bromide is a potent ozone-depleting substance — it's roughly 50 times more effective at destroying ozone than chlorine.

Due to its environmental impact, methyl bromide is being phased out globally under the Montreal Protocol. As of 2023, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and many other countries no longer accept MB-treated pallets. While the US still permits both methods, the trend is unmistakably toward heat treatment.

From a cost perspective, heat treatment and methyl bromide fumigation are roughly comparable — both typically add $2-5 per pallet. However, heat treatment facilities require less specialized equipment and don't involve handling hazardous chemicals, which means lower insurance and regulatory compliance costs.

Processing time differs. Methyl bromide treatment requires a 24-hour exposure period plus aeration time, typically taking 2-3 days total. Heat treatment can be completed in a single day, with chamber cycles running 6-12 hours depending on load size and moisture content.

At Bakersfield Pallet Co., we exclusively use heat treatment. The decision was straightforward: HT is universally accepted, environmentally responsible, leaves no chemical residues, and is faster than fumigation. We invested in a modern heat treatment chamber with digital temperature monitoring and automated logging to ensure every batch meets exact specifications.

If you're currently using methyl bromide-treated pallets, we strongly recommend transitioning to heat treatment. The regulatory trajectory is clear — more countries will restrict MB over time, and getting ahead of the curve protects your supply chain from disruption.