In the Belgian countryside, wild Giant Miscanthus (“Giant Reed”) thrives. Known for its rapid growth, high carbon sequestration, and robust stalks, it presents an ideal raw material for manufacturing eco-friendly pallets.

With global timber resources becoming increasingly scarce and expensive, a forward-thinking Belgian client partnered with ThoYu to leverage this local resource. By investing in ThoYu’s advanced pallet press machine, they have successfully produced Miscanthus molded pallets.

1. Harnessing Local Miscanthus for a Sustainable Future

In early 2024, recognizing the market potential for plant fiber molded pallets, the Belgian client approached ThoYu. The rising cost of wood highlighted the economic and environmental advantage of using abundant, locally sourced Giant Miscanthus. This perennial grass is not only inexpensive and readily available but also comes pre-processed from local suppliers, ensuring high purity and eliminating the need for significant upfront processing equipment.

（Giant Miscanthus in Belgium）

（Crushed and prepared Miscanthus fiber）

（The ThoYu team at the client’s facility in Belgium）

2. ThoYu’s Molded Pallet Technology: Strength Meets Sustainability

ThoYu has pioneered plant fiber molding technology since 2017, when it first tested Miscanthus for pallet production. The Belgian project marks the successful large-scale, real-world application of this technology in Europe.

The core of this system is the ThoYu pallet press machine. It employs an eco-friendly MDI binder and a high-temperature, high-pressure molding process. This technology densely binds the Miscanthus fibers, creating pallets with exceptional strength.

Rigorous testing shows that these pallets achieve a dynamic load capacity of 1.5 tons, fully meeting standard logistics requirements.

Miscanthus molded pallet undergoing a 1.5T dynamic load test

（The ThoYu pallet press machine）

The pallet press machine is highly automated and user-friendly, allowing for quick adjustments to produce pallets of various sizes. The Belgian client’s production line, featuring two ThoYu press machines, boasts considerable annual capacity. They are already marketing three standard pallet sizes through a dedicated website.

The resulting Miscanthus pallets are fully biodegradable and have a minimal carbon footprint, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional wooden pallets.

( Miscanthus molded pallet)

Beyond being eco-friendly, the pallets produced by the pallet press machine are highly durable and reliable. They maintain consistent performance under heavy loads and frequent use, reducing long-term logistics costs through an extended service life.

3. Project Implementation and Growing Market Potential

In early January 2025, the ThoYu pallet press machine and full production line arrived in Belgium via sea freight. ThoYu’s installation engineers were on-site to oversee the smooth delivery and have been steadily progressing with installation and commissioning.

(Equipment being unloaded at the client’s site)

The first batch of pallets, pressed by the pallet press machine from Belgian Miscanthus, has already been shipped to aid the client’s market launch.

(Miscanthus molded pallet)

As EU policies increasingly favor sustainable packaging, demand for such eco-friendly pallets is set to grow significantly.

If you have ample agricultural or forestry waste materials and are looking for a profitable, sustainable processing solution, ThoYu’s pallet press machine offers a proven path forward. Contact ThoYu today to discover how our pallet press machine can transform them into pallets.