WHAT ARE THERMALLY INSULATED PRODUCTS?

Thermally insulated products are used in the supply chain for maintaining temperatures in any industry where the products require such temperature maintenance and are either perishable or prone to degradation due to temperature variation. So they assist in preserving the integrity of food or pharmaceuticals in transit.

These thermally insulated products are made from specially developed and treated polyurethane, polypropylene and polyethylene materials bonded together and sandwiched with varying thicknesses of Polywool® insulation; the thicker the insulation, the more effective it will be. The outer layers of material can be produced in a matt or reflective (mirror) finish and are plain or woven. This finish also assists in enhancing the efficiency of the thermal properties. The Lambda Value of these materials is exceptional and provides a W/m.K coefficient far better than the acceptable norm 0.065. (See FAQ’s for description of the Lambda Value).

Used in conjunction with refrigerated transport these products are extremely effective in maintaining the cold chain at temperatures that keep perishables in an optimal condition. Because of their quality and efficiency they save fuel and energy, sometimes by up to 40% per annum. They can also protect temperature sensitive goods from very cold environments such as the freezing temperatures in a refrigerated truck, making them highly desirable when transporting multi-temperature loads.

Although these thermally insulated products are used mainly in temperature controlled vehicles they can also be used in non-refrigerated vehicles where they have also been found to be effective. For maximum impact in non-refrigerated vehicles the covers should be stored at the same temperature as the chilled or frozen products for a minimum 12 hour period prior to despatch. This allows the materials to absorb the cold. This ensures the maintenance of temperatures within acceptable levels for an extended period even over long haul journeys of several hours and where exterior and road temperatures are high. This procedure can also assist when using refrigerated transport.