NWPCA Celebrates Historic Grant Award for the Pallet Foundation to Advance U.S. Softwoods and Sustainability

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) is proud to announce that the Pallet Foundation has received the largest grant in its history. This $1 million grant, awarded through the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Regional Agricultural Product Promotion (RAPP) program, to the Softwood Export Council’s (SEC) and its member, the NWPCA, takes effect immediately and runs through 2029. The funding significantly advances the mission of promoting the sustainable use of U.S. softwood products in wood transport packaging and related industries.

This landmark grant highlights a strategic commitment to expanding markets for U.S. softwood products, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries (outside of Mexico) in Latin America, and Europe, aligning with a core objective of the NWPCA Strategic Plan in its global position initiatives.

“We are thrilled about the opportunities this grant opens to expand markets in Spanish-speaking regions outside of Mexico,” said Hilary Carr, PhD, Director of Mexico & LATAM. “Through targeted outreach, this initiative educates wood packaging producers about U.S. softwood species, sustainable forest management practices, grading standards, and their diverse applications.”

Primary research conducted by the NWPCA reveals that pallet manufacturers are eager to learn how to design wooden pallets using softwoods with the NWPCA’s Pallet Design System™ (PDS), enabling them to optimize the use of lumber in pallet design.

RAPP funding will be utilized to gather detailed market intelligence on wood packaging production in the target region. This funding also supports trade missions, seminars, and in-country training using the Pallet Design System™ (PDS), a software tool that ensures the viability of U.S. softwood lumber for pallet manufacturing.

“This historic grant marks a milestone for the Pallet Foundation and demonstrates the strength of our partnership with the Softwood Export Council,” said Brad Gething, PhD, Vice President of Science & Technology. “Together, we are advancing the global presence of U.S. softwood products within the wood transport packaging industry.” 

“With 90% of the global supply chain relying on pallets for goods transport, the wooden pallet industry has a significant role to play. Constant messaging about the benefits of U.S. wood from sustainably managed forests, supported by recently completed LCAs and EPDs, is crucial,” Gething emphasized.

For more information about the grant and the Pallet Foundation, visit https://palletfoundation.org or contact Brad Gething, Vice President of Science & Technology.

About the Pallet Foundation

Formed in 1996, the Pallet Foundation supports testing, data collection, and analysis for the Pallet Design System™ and other related research projects to improve the safety of our industry and our environment. Visit www.palletfoundation.org.

About the Softwood Export Council

The Softwood Export Council (SEC) is a nonprofit association representing U.S. softwood grading agencies, industry trade associations, state export promotional agencies, and others with a stake in the global trade of softwood lumber and wood-based building materials. Learn more at www.softwood.org. 

About NWPCA

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) is the largest organization of wood packaging professionals globally, with more than 800 company members in 28 countries who manufacture, repair and distribute pallets and wood packaging in unit-load solutions, or who supply products and services to the industry. To learn more about NWPCA, visit palletcentral.com.

Contact:

Annette Ferri – Vice President, Communications – aferri@palletcentral.com – (703) 519-6104 ext. 207

Source: National Wooden Pallet & Container Association