Plastic has become the smart choice for modern ground protection and support technology. Compared to steel and wood, it is lighter, easier to handle, corrosion-free, weather-resistant and fully recyclable – while still delivering impressive load capacity and long service life.
Our detailed comparison sets plastic, steel and wood side by side so you can clearly see which material best fits your project.
Steel is by far the heaviest option. Even in thinner versions, steel plates are difficult to move without heavy equipment. This makes handling slower and more expensive.
Wood is lighter, but for the same load capacity, it usually requires greater thickness. In addition, wood absorbs moisture and becomes heavier when wet.
Plastic combines strength with light handling. It is significantly lighter than steel and does not gain weight through water absorption like wood. For companies that need flexibility and efficiency, plastic provides the smartest balance between strength and manageable weight.
Steel plates usually require cranes, forklifts, or at least multiple workers due to their high weight. Handling is cumbersome and costly.
Wood can be handled by one or two people, but when wet, it swells, becomes slippery, and more difficult to manage.
Plastic is designed for practical handling. Many plates come with built-in hand grips or ropes, making them easy to move by a single person. This saves time and labor, especially when frequent repositioning is needed.
Steel is the traditional choice for extreme loads and offers excellent pressure and bending strength.
Wood has good compressive strength, but its performance declines quickly under moisture or cracking, making it less reliable for high loads
Plastic has developed into a true competitor. High-quality pressed plastic plates distribute loads evenly and carry up to 220 tons, depending on the system. This makes them suitable for nearly all applications, from bucket trucks to heavy cranes
