| Not long ago, wood was the only material available | | | | so not only are the packages separated, but are also |
| when it came to dunnage that separated boxes and | | | | protected from vibrations. |
| other cargo while in transit from industry to market. | | | | Foam. (all uses) Foam dunnage is familiar to almost |
| With better manufacturing and composite materials | | | | anyone who has ever opened a package. Foam can |
| available in today's market and the decrease in usage | | | | be used in small bits on the inside of the box, or as |
| of metal strapping for shipping boxes, there are now | | | | molded pieces for pallets, top, and lateral dunnage. |
| several options when it comes to protective dunnage | | | | The disadvantage of foam, of course, is that it can |
| for your shipping. | | | | be messy and is not environmentally friendly. |
| Wood. (floor dunnage, lateral dunnage) Not as popular | | | | Fabric. Dunnage made of fabric is especially useful for |
| as it used to be, wood is still used as dunnage. The | | | | suspending your product inside its shipping container, |
| main reason for this is that wood is often available on | | | | with custom designed partitions. This product is |
| the floor of any warehouse and can fit almost any | | | | collapsible and returnable, so your investment in |
| size shipment. It provides good structure and does | | | | dunnage doesn't need to be written off with each |
| not fall apart, and it is also very resistant to wear | | | | shipment. |
| and abrasion. Wooden dunnage has increased in | | | | Plastic. Thermoformed plastic trays make excellent |
| costs, however, and may not be the best option for | | | | bin liners, and offer the added benefit of being |
| boxes which contain sensitive or fragile materials. | | | | returnable and reusable. Their lightweight design |
| Inflatable. (interlayer dunnage, top dunnage, lateral | | | | reduces shipping costs (as compared to wood) while |
| dunnage) Shipments containing boxes with sensitive | | | | their toughness increases durability. |
| materials inside are increasingly being packed with | | | | Remember that dunnage serves a few different |
| inflatable dunnage. Air bag like structures are | | | | purposes. It needs to protect the contents of the |
| manufactured from kraft paper (vinyl and | | | | shipping boxes both inside and out, as well as the |
| polyethylene are also used) and have plastic interiors. | | | | interior of the ship or truck doing the transporting. |
| Lighter materials are not suitable for shipments with | | | | The type of dunnage that you select will depend on |
| metal strapping, but the kraft paper models can | | | | the type of shipment you are making and the other |
| handle a lot of abuse. These dunnage options are | | | | types of packaging materials that you are using, as |
| ideal for both separating boxes and inside the box | | | | well as convenience and price. |
| itself; the product being shipped can mold to the bag, | | | | |