To the best of our knowledge there is no systematic, model-guided assessment available on batch heterogeneity in pallet freezing and on its root causes, namely stochasticity of ice nucleation, thermal interaction among vials, and position-dependency of heat transfer. Compared to freezedrying, in pallet freezing we expect an enhanced variability among vials due to the stacking in three instead of in two spatial dimensions: In freeze-drying, all vials are in direct contact with a shelf, while in the case of pallet freezing most vials are not in direct contact with the exterior and heat transfer occurs through their neighbors only.