Kiln Sticks for Lumber Drying

Kiln Sticks for Lumber Drying

Wooden kiln sticks have been the go-to for years, but they’re a weak link in an industrial drying process. They warp, crack, and stain lumber, forcing constant replacements and slowing down production. Preferred Plastics offers a better solution: high-performance thermoplastic kiln sticks engineered for durability, stability, and efficiency.

Our high-performance thermoplastic kiln stickers offer long-lasting, extremely effective heat-generation solutions for kiln-drying operations.

Without a doubt, drying is the most important step in the manufacture of wood and ceramic products or the disposal of waterlogged waste. Lowering the moisture content improves product quality while reducing transportation costs.

Take your drying or dehydration application to new levels of operational performance with polycarbonate kiln sticks from Preferred Plastics. An ISO 9001:2015-certified extruder of thermoplastic resins, we specialize in the manufacture of rigid, flexible, and co-extruded products for a wide range of markets throughout the world. Our high-performance thermoplastic kiln stickers offer long-lasting, extremely effective heat-generation solutions for kiln-drying operations.

Why Thermoplastic Kiln Sticks Are a Smarter Investment

Preferred Plastics’ polycarbonate kiln sticks for lumber drying are built for performance in demanding environments. Unlike wood, thermoplastic kiln sticks maintain their shape, resist wear, and don’t break down under heat.

• Handles Temperatures Up to 220°F – No warping, splitting, or weakening over time.

• Extended Service Life – Reduces replacement frequency and lowers costs.

• Stable and Uniform – Precision-cut for better stacking and improved airflow.

• Eco-Friendly Alternative – Fewer replacements mean less material waste over time.

• Versatile Sizing – Available in multiple cross-sections and customizable lengths.

Why Industry Leaders Choose Preferred Plastics

For over 40 years, Preferred Plastics has specialized in high-performance thermoplastic extrusion for industrial applications.

• ISO 9001:2015-Certified Manufacturing

• Custom-Engineered Solutions

• Proven Performance in Industrial Drying

• Manufactured in Southwest Michigan, USA

When kiln efficiency matters, our thermoplastic kiln sticks deliver results that wood never will.

Common Drying Issues

After trees, agriculture products, or minerals are harvested, the weight of water is often more significant than the items themselves. This water must be removed to some degree for usability. Drying with natural products can be problematic, however.

Extensive energy usage

Drying operations account for up to 80 percent of an application’s total energy usage.

The possibility of drying defects

As materials like wood and ceramics dry, they shrink in several dimensions. Incorrectly dried products can exhibit defects like checks, splits, warping, casehardening, and honeycombing. These nonconformities can reduce value or result in scrap, which negatively impacts the bottom line.

Thermoplastics vs Wood

Conventional drying methods have peaked. Improve your application with high-value kiln sticks from Preferred Plastics.

Our kiln stacking sticks are manufactured from high-performance polycarbonate, a thermoplastic material prized for its strength, flexibility, and weatherability. It efficiently absorbs and withstands heat, which creates a range of benefits over traditional kiln stickers for drying applications.

• Low initial cost
• Long-term usability
• Increased performance
• Low operational cost
• Improved environmental sustainability

Polycarbonate kiln stacking stickers from Preferred Plastics are incredibly effective at transferring energy to the items being dried. Polycarbonate is also considerably less toxic than many other plastics, and the ease with which it’s recycled adds to its environmental friendliness. A range of industries can benefit from our polycarbonate kiln stick products.

• Lumber
• Agriculture
• Minerals
• Sludge removal
• Ceramics
• Food production
• Waste industries

Trusted Drying and Dehydration Solutions for Demanding Applications

For industries that must dry products before transporting them to market, performance is critical. Subpar drying or dehydrating processes can lead to missed production targets and cost overruns. Off-the-shelf kiln stickers are not enough for these situations.

At Preferred Plastics, our area of expertise is the production of tailor-made polycarbonate kiln stacking stick solutions for challenging applications. We have a vast knowledge of the issues you are up against and work in partnership with you to develop optimal products using a trusted consultative process aimed at successfully addressing performance, fitment, longevity, and safety.

Contact us to learn more about our polycarbonate kiln stickers.