Conlegno: wood at the heart of Italy’s logistics, 160 million pallets per year

The “wood system” confirms its role as a key pillar of the Italian economy, with figures highlighting the weight of the supply chain within the country’s logistics. Data released by Conlegno during the event “Le radici del gioco” indicate a market of around 160 million wooden pallets placed on the market every year in Italy, including 100 million new and 60 million used units. Domestic production stands at approximately 84 million pallets, mainly destined for the internal market (77 million), while 7 million are exported, primarily to France and Germany. In addition, 22.9 million pallets are imported, with a significant share coming from Poland (29 percent).

In detail, the system shows a high level of reuse: 69 percent of pallets placed on the market consist of selected pallets that can be reused without intervention, while 30 percent are repaired pallets and only 1 percent are reconstructed. These figures outline a supply chain strongly oriented toward circularity and logistical efficiency.

According to the data released, the role of wooden pallets remains central to supply and distribution flows: around 90 percent of goods in Italy are transported on these platforms, confirming wood as a key material for goods handling and for the functioning of the entire production system.

“LE RADICI DEL GIOCO”
The data were presented during the event “Le radici del gioco – Pallet, logistics and sustainability take the field”, promoted by Conlegno together with institutional and academic partners, including Politecnico di Milano, PEFC Italy, Rilegno and Urania Basket. The initiative linked the theme of industrial sustainability in the wood supply chain with social responsibility, through a project that also involves the world of sport.

During the event, the first edition of the Politecnico di Milano Pallet Observatory was also presented, analysing the economic, production and environmental dynamics of the sector. “The pallet sector plays a strategic role for the logistics system and for the national industrial fabric,” said Marco Melacini, scientific coordinator of the Observatory, highlighting how the sector is often underestimated despite its central importance.

The event was hosted by renowned coach Dan Peterson, who moderated the sessions and emphasised the link between teamwork, industrial supply chains and social impact. In this context, wood emerges not only as a technical material, but as a key element for sustainability, innovation and territorial development, with a supply chain that continues to play a decisive role in the real economy.