The Methyl Bromide Phase-Out
Methyl bromide (MB) has been used for decades as a fumigant for wood packaging materials, effectively killing insects and pathogens that could spread through international trade. It is one of the two approved treatment methods under ISPM-15, alongside heat treatment. However, methyl bromide is a potent ozone-depleting substance, and the Montreal Protocol has driven a progressive phase-out that is reshaping how the pallet industry approaches pest treatment.
The European Union banned MB fumigation for plant protection purposes in 2010. Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries have imposed increasingly strict restrictions. In 2026, additional countries including Brazil, South Korea, and Japan are further tightening acceptance of MB-treated wood packaging. While the United States and Canada still permit MB use for ISPM-15 treatment, the direction is clear: MB's role in pallet treatment is diminishing, and companies still relying on it should plan for transition.
Even where MB remains legal, practical considerations are pushing companies away from it. Fewer licensed applicators are available, treatment costs are rising as supply contracts, and customers increasingly prefer non-MB treatment due to environmental concerns and the risk of future import restrictions at destination countries.
Heat Treatment: The Dominant Alternative
Heat treatment (HT) has become the de facto standard for ISPM-15 compliance worldwide. The process — raising wood core temperature to 56°C and maintaining it for 30 minutes — is well established, effective, and leaves no chemical residue. Heat treatment accounts for over 95% of ISPM-15 treatments globally in 2026.
Advantages of heat treatment over MB include universal acceptance by all importing countries, no chemical residues, no ozone depletion potential, ability to perform in-house with appropriate kiln equipment, and consistent, documentable results with modern temperature monitoring systems.
Limitations include the capital cost of kiln equipment ($50,000-$500,000+ depending on capacity), energy consumption (natural gas or electricity costs per treatment cycle), cycle time (typically 8-24 hours including ramp-up and cool-down), and the need for space to house kiln facilities. Despite these limitations, heat treatment's universal acceptance and environmental profile make it the clear choice for most pallet operations.
Dielectric Heating
Dielectric heating — using microwave or radio frequency (RF) energy to heat wood from the inside out — was approved as an ISPM-15 treatment method (designated DH) in 2013. This technology offers several advantages over conventional heat treatment: faster treatment times (minutes rather than hours), more uniform heating (microwaves penetrate the wood rather than heating from the outside in), lower energy consumption per unit treated, and smaller equipment footprint.
The DH standard requires that wood core temperature reach 60°C for 1 minute (a higher temperature but shorter duration than conventional HT). Commercial DH systems are available from several manufacturers and can treat pallets at rates comparable to conventional kilns while using significantly less floor space.
Adoption has been slower than initial projections suggested, primarily due to higher equipment costs compared to conventional kilns, the relative newness of the technology (some inspectors are less familiar with DH), and limited manufacturer options. However, as the technology matures and more treatment facilities adopt it, DH is expected to grow significantly as an alternative to conventional heat treatment.
Sulfuryl Fluoride
Sulfuryl fluoride (SF) has been proposed as a chemical alternative to methyl bromide. It is an effective fumigant that does not deplete the ozone layer, though it is a potent greenhouse gas with a long atmospheric lifetime. SF is approved for structural fumigation and stored product treatment in several countries but is not currently an approved ISPM-15 treatment method.
Research and regulatory discussions continue regarding potential approval of SF for wood packaging treatment. If approved, it could provide a chemical fumigation option for situations where heat treatment is impractical. However, environmental concerns about its greenhouse gas potential may limit its acceptability even if regulatory approval is obtained.
Other Emerging Alternatives
Controlled Atmosphere Treatment
Controlled atmosphere treatment uses modified gas mixtures (typically elevated carbon dioxide or reduced oxygen) to kill pests in enclosed chambers. While effective for stored product pest control, this method has not been approved for ISPM-15 compliance and is primarily a research interest for wood packaging applications.
Irradiation
Ionizing radiation (gamma rays or electron beams) can effectively sterilize wood packaging against pests. Irradiation is approved for food safety applications and is technically feasible for wood treatment. However, public perception concerns, regulatory complexity, and the capital cost of irradiation facilities have limited its adoption for pallet treatment. It is not currently an approved ISPM-15 treatment method.
Composite and Engineered Wood Products
One of the simplest alternatives to treating solid wood is to use materials that are exempt from ISPM-15 requirements entirely. Pressed wood pallets, plywood pallets, and other engineered wood products made from processed wood fiber are exempt because the manufacturing process (heat and pressure) eliminates pest risk. For one-way export shipments, these products eliminate the need for any treatment and the associated compliance burden.
Planning Your Transition
If your operation still uses methyl bromide for any portion of your treatment, develop a transition plan now. Key steps include assessing your current treatment volumes and the proportion using MB, evaluating heat treatment capacity options (in-house kiln, contract treatment, or partnership with a treatment facility), budgeting for equipment, installation, and certification, establishing a timeline that ensures uninterrupted treatment capacity during the transition, and communicating with customers about the transition and its implications.
Pallet Union can connect members with kiln manufacturers, treatment service providers, and consultants who specialize in treatment facility design and ISPM-15 compliance. Contact us for guidance on planning your MB-to-HT transition.