Some innovations improve manufacturing processes. Others reshape entire industries. The EUROBLOCK engineered wood pallet block belongs firmly in the second category.
In 2026, the innovative pallet block celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of engineering excellence, resource efficiency, and continuous innovation in the European pallet and packaging industry. What began as a practical solution to a raw material shortage has evolved into one of the world’s most successful engineered wood products, supporting millions of pallets used across global supply chains every year.
A simple idea that changed the pallet industry
The story of EUROBLOCK dates back to the mid-1970s in Unterbernbach, Bavaria, where sawmill owner and pallet manufacturer Anton Heggenstaller identified two major challenges facing the timber industry: limited availability of pallet lumber and growing volumes of underutilized sawmill residues.
Rather than viewing wood chips and sawdust as waste, Heggenstaller transformed them into a valuable engineered wood component. His patented Presspan pallet block, introduced in 1976, demonstrated that production residues could become a high-performance industrial product while reducing dependence on solid timber.
The innovation proved revolutionary. It offered pallet manufacturers a reliable, consistent alternative to conventional timber blocks while making far better use of renewable forest resources.
From four presses to European market leadership
Production initially began with just four presses.
Today, EUROBLOCK operates more than 40 high-capacity production lines across facilities in Unterbernbach, Uelzen, Lauterbach (Germany), and Ermelo in the Netherlands, making it the European market leader in engineered wood pallet blocks. The company’s growth accelerated significantly after the Pfeifer Group acquired Heggenstaller in 2005, enabling further industrial expansion and the establishment of one of the world’s most advanced pallet block manufacturing facilities in Lauterbach.
The business is jointly owned by Pfeifer Holz GmbH and Presswood International B.V., combining decades of expertise in engineered wood products and pallet technology.
Sustainability built into every block
Long before the circular economy became a global priority, EUROBLOCK was already demonstrating how manufacturing by-products could be transformed into valuable industrial products.
Instead of consuming additional solid timber, EUROBLOCK pallet blocks are produced using sawmill by-products and recycled wood, creating an efficient closed-loop production cycle. According to the company, approximately one billion pallet blocks are produced annually, helping save around 2.2 million cubic metres of roundwood, equivalent to roughly three million trees every year.
This resource-efficient approach aligns closely with today’s sustainability goals, where manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and maximize material utilization.
Why engineered wood pallet blocks have become the industry standard?
The success of EUROBLOCK is based on more than sustainability.
Unlike traditional solid wood blocks, engineered wood pallet blocks provide highly consistent dimensions, uniform density, excellent nail-holding performance, and water-resistant bonding. Every block undergoes rigorous quality testing before leaving the factory, ensuring reliable performance in automated pallet manufacturing systems.
These characteristics have made EUROBLOCK an approved solution for major logistics and pallet systems, including EPAL, CHEP, UIC railway applications, and various industrial packaging sectors.
For pallet manufacturers operating highly automated production lines, dimensional consistency translates directly into higher productivity, fewer production interruptions, and lower maintenance costs.
Standardisation drove global growth
The widespread adoption of standardized Euro pallets significantly accelerated demand for engineered pallet blocks.
As European logistics networks expanded and pallet specifications became increasingly standardized, manufacturers sought components capable of delivering consistent performance at scale.
Sales volumes increased dramatically—from approximately 590,000 cubic metres in 1998 to 1.475 million cubic metres in 2017, with 2022 becoming the company’s strongest year, exceeding one million cubic metres of pallet blocks sold.
Italy has emerged as one of EUROBLOCK’s strongest international markets, while Southeastern Europe and Spain continue to offer considerable growth opportunities as engineered pallet technologies gain wider adoption.
Innovation continues after five decades
Although the Presspan pallet block is now regarded as a mature industrial product, innovation remains central to EUROBLOCK’s strategy.
Modern supply chains increasingly demand reusable packaging, repairable pallets, and circular logistics solutions. New regulations such as the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) are placing greater emphasis on reuse, recyclability, and efficient resource management.
To meet these evolving requirements, EUROBLOCK continues investing in advanced quality control systems, optimized raw material strategies, greater use of recycled wood, and continuous production improvements aimed at enhancing both product performance and sustainability.
Supporting smarter and greener supply chains
The logistics sector is undergoing rapid transformation. Automation, digital supply chains, warehouse robotics, and sustainable transport systems are changing how pallets are manufactured and used.
Reliable engineered pallet components have become increasingly important because they support automated handling, reduce product variability, and improve pallet durability throughout multiple usage cycles.
For manufacturers focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives, engineered wood products such as EUROBLOCK also contribute to lower resource consumption while supporting circular manufacturing models that maximize the value of renewable raw materials.
Fifty years after Anton Heggenstaller introduced his pioneering idea, the EUROBLOCK Presspan pallet block remains a cornerstone of the European pallet and packaging industry.
What started as an innovative solution to raw material shortages has become a benchmark for sustainable manufacturing, engineering precision, and industrial efficiency. As the logistics sector continues embracing automation, circular economy principles, and environmentally responsible production, EUROBLOCK is well positioned to support the next generation of global supply chains.
Its journey demonstrates that true innovation is not simply about creating new products—it is about solving real-world challenges in ways that continue delivering value for decades. After half a century, EUROBLOCK stands as a powerful example of how engineering, sustainability, and continuous improvement can move an entire industry forward.
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