EPS COLD CHAIN SOLUTIONS
Of all of the ways expanded polystyrene protects valuable resources, cold chain packaging really stands out. Itis synonymous with added value and exceptional performance, particularly with products which are very sensitive to changes in temperature. EPS is an ingenious solution thanks to two intrinsic properties – insulation performance and shock resistance.
Today’s demanding global commodity chains hinge on exact timing and coordination. Compounding this challenge is the fast-paced, short lived perishable supply chains in which products can flow from source to customers within a matter of weeks, days and sometimes hours. To ensure that cargo does not become damaged or compromised throughout this process, the pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural and fishery industries rely on cold chain technology.
Not all cold chains are created equal– some are longer, more rigorous and more time consuming from end to end. Land, sea and air modes all have different structures for keeping perishable products fresh throughout the transport chain. Certain supply chains may only require one transportation mode, but many times ground shipments are one link in a combination of transport modes.
Cold chain concerns include:
• Destination of the shipment and the weather conditions for those regions (especially extreme cold or heat)
• Reliability of refrigeration equipment in the storage areas, transport vehicles and at the point of sale
• Care and skill of individuals handling the packaging
• Efficacy of a package and its abilityto survive the shipping environment.
Cold chain technology demands packaging that provides the stable and reliable insulation necessary for products where an increase in temperature would be detrimental to their quality and safety.In addition to thermal impacts, sensitive food and life science products must be protected from physical impacts during transit and storage to protect their integrity.
*Courtesy of http://www.epspackaging.org
