In this guide, we’ll compare the main types of cold chain insulated packaging and the considerations you need to take into account to make the best insulated packaging choice for your temperature-sensitive goods.
1. What’s your preference of insulated packaging materials?
IPC has developed a range of innovative insulating material designs to meet different needs and performance requirements.
CelluLiner and EcoLiner Insulated Packaging
Paper
CelluLiner is a paper-based insulated packaging material that is designed to protect refrigerated and frozen shipments for up to 72 hours. Multiple layers of cellulose insulation panels enable the creation of thousands of tiny air pockets that substantially slow heat transfer. As well as this, it is biodegradable and curbside recyclable, making it ideal for consumer deliveries.
Available as: Box Liner, Pouch
Protection duration: 24 – 72 hours
Custom sizes: Yes
Recyclability: Curbside recyclable
Polyurethane Foam
PopupLiner is our most space-efficient and high-performance insulated packaging. It’s made using an innovative design that allows it to be stored in a compressed form, and expand to full size when in use. This is the best insulated packaging to use for when performance and efficiency are paramount.
Available as: Box Liner, Pouch, Pallet Shipper
Protection duration: 24 – 72 hours
Custom sizes: Yes
Recyclability: Recyclable
Cotton
EcoLiner is made entirely from cotton-based panels wrapped in a curbside-recyclable film. While being incredibly lightweight, it nonetheless protects temperature sensitive goods in transit for over 48 hours.
Available as: Box Liner, Pouch
Protection duration: 48+ hours
Custom sizes: Yes
Recyclability: Recyclable
Low-Density Polyethylene
SustainaLiner is a type of insulated packaging that provides reliable protection for shipments lasting 24 hours. Its LDPE construction means it has a higher recycling value than similar products.
Available as: Box Liner, Pouch, Pallet Cover, Cargo Blankets, Delivery Bags
Protection duration: 24 hours
Custom sizes: Yes
Recyclability: Recyclable
Foil Bubble
CooLiner and SustainaLiner are low-cost insulated packaging solutions well-suited to perishable food items and pharmaceuticals. It features foil-bubble layers that provide passive energy reflection to ensure your products are protected from ambient temperatures for up to 24 hours. CooLiner is also available in a double layer format that offers 20 percent more protection.
Available as: Box Liner, Pouch, Pallet Cover, Cargo Blankets, Delivery Bags
Protection duration: 24 hours
Custom sizes: Yes
Recyclability: Recyclable
2. How long are your transit times?
As suggested, timing is everything when it comes to cold chain shipping. You need to choose an insulated packaging material based on the duration protection that you require. Bear in mind that additional refrigerants, such as dry ice and gel packs, can also be used to prolong protection.
Don’t just take the insulated packaging supplier’s word for it though. Ensure it is backed up with a test report demonstrating that the insulated packaging material will perform as claimed under expected temperature conditions for the entire shipping period. IPC carries out performance testing so you can be sure your temperature sensitive goods will be safe.
3. What products are you shipping and what are their temperature requirements?
The type of product you are shipping has a huge bearing on the type of insulated packaging solution you choose. The temperature control requirements of, for example, chocolate are very different to those of certain pharmaceuticals or meats that need to be kept frozen.
Indeed, temperature-sensitive goods with a very small mass, such as healthcare products, are extremely susceptible to temperature increases so great care must be taken. By contrast, large mass agri-food products have a much higher thermal inertia so are less prone to absorbing heat.
4. What are the sizes of your packages?
Building on the last point, the size and shape of your insulated packaging relative to the temperature-sensitive goods you are shipping is crucially important. Empty space inside the package is thermally inefficient.
As such, you need an insulated packaging solution that perfectly fits your goods. IPC provides custom-sized insulated packaging tailored to your requirements, whether that’s for small items or bulky goods loaded on pallets, that ensures maximum thermal performance.
5. Which type of refrigerants are required?
As mentioned, refrigerants can be used in combination with insulated packaging to prolong protection over extended shipping durations.
IPC manufactures a selection of cold packs and other phase change materials (PCMs) that do this for different temperature requirements, from frozen goods to fast food deliveries. For cold chain shipping, cold packs have the added benefit of being safer to handle than dry ice.
Additionally, IPC’s cold packs are designed with different users and applications in mind. For instance, our drain-friendly cold packs are non-toxic so can be easily disposed of by the consumer after use while our industrial design is made with a tough, recyclable polyethylene plastic that can withstand rigorous handling.
Choosing the right insulated packaging solution for your temperature sensitive goods
These are just some of the insulating materials and considerations to bear in mind when selecting an appropriate insulated packaging solution for your products.
If you’d like to learn more or are unsure what might work best for you, contact us to discuss your specific requirements and we’ll do all we can to help.
