Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1194984
32 PalletCentral • November-December 2019 palletcentral.com and could potentially run up to 10 cycles or 5,900 GMA pallets per day. An automated tram system for the RF chamber facilitates faster loading and unloading that appears to be less than typical dry kiln loading/unloading times of 1 to 1.5 hours. Thanks to continuing pallet industry support and funding from the USDA NIFA, our team is working to adopt IPPC-approved dielectric standards for sanitized shipping pallets starting with a U.S./Canada bilateral agreement. This includes the formalization of third-party inspection protocols so the RF technology can be mill ready as soon as possible. Our clear goal is to facilitate commercial scale RF adoption with innovative pallet manufacturers in both the U.S. and Canada and to help these producers save money and become successful RF phytosanitation treatment adopters. Our team is part of The International Forestry Quarantine Research Group (IFQRG) that helps to develop international standards and protocols to mitigate the spread of invasive species in wood pallets and packaging material used for international trade. The development and implementation of RF treatment (approved under ISPM 15) will be another helpful technology in the fight against invasive insects in wood pallets and packaging. Moreover, the significant decrease in energy demand in comparison to the conventional heat treatment method will allow for a lower carbon footprint and reduced impact on the environment. This makes RF treatment a viable technology for the near future. We are still looking to perform more feasibility studies on other facilities. For more information about the project and how your company can get involved contact: Mark Gagnon, Penn State, mag199@psu.edu, 814.865.0469. For technical information contact: Karolina Szymona, Penn State, kss29@psu.edu. PC INDUSTRY The article is a collaborative effort from staff members at Penn State University and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), an agency of the USDA Department of Agriculture. For more information, Mark Gagnon, PhD, Penn State, mag199@psu.edu; for technical information contact: Karolina Szymona, Penn State, kss29@psu.edu. The development and implementation of RF treatment (approved under ISPM 15) will be another helpful technology in the fight against invasive insects in wood pallets and packaging.