LadungsträgerDiffusionslänge

Ladungsträger is a class of devices designed to consolidate individual goods into a single unit for handling, storage, and transport. They enable efficient movement, stacking, and protection of items across warehouses and during transit. The term is used in logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain management. Common forms include pallets, crates, shipping containers, and skids.

Pallets are the most widely used load carriers; they can be made of wood, plastic, or metal, and are designed to be moved by forklifts or pallet jacks. Crates and containers provide rigid enclosures for shipped goods; skids provide flat platforms without stringers. Standardization is important to interoperability; in Europe the EUR-pallet with dimensions 800 by 1200 millimeters is common, while other regions use different sizes. Different materials offer trade-offs in cost, durability, and cleanliness; wood pallets are inexpensive but may require treatment; plastic pallets resist moisture and are easy to clean; metal pallets offer high strength for heavy loads.

In logistics, ladungsträger facilitate automation, reduce damage, and improve handling safety. They support stacking, storage density, and automated picking systems; equipment such as pallet jacks, forklifts, and automated warehouses are designed around common load-carrier dimensions. End-of-life management includes reuse, refurbishment, and recycling. The concept has historical roots in early 20th-century palletization, with standardization efforts expanding in Europe and globally to improve efficiency and interoperability.