25 May 2016

Temperature-Controlled Packaging: Challenges and Solutions

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The latest product in the packaging industry is temperature-controlled packaging. Essential for businesses that deal with temperature-sensitive and perishable items, this innovative product has seen rapid evolution and development in recent years, allowing for products to be shipped globally while remaining in a controlled environment.

Temperature-Controlled Packaging

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Many businesses rely on this type of packaging to ship their goods, such as pharmaceutical products, perishable foods, beverages, healthcare products such as detergents, cosmetics, soaps and shampoos, industrial products such as resins, adhesives and paints, and agricultural products such as plants and shrubs. Thermal insulation is essential for storing and transporting these goods. UK regulations for packaging can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/460891/BIS-15-460-packaging-essential-requirements-regulations-gov-guidance-notes.pdf.

Innovatively designed and highly engineered temperature-controlled packaging is now available, and competition is strong to make this affordable and effective. High-performance passive systems are now employed utilizing new materials and techniques. They are similar in appearance to more traditional passive solutions that rely upon foam-based insulation and water-based coolants. However, the new high-performance temperature-controlled packaging has benefited from technology advances, providing greater protection for goods, and has resulted in a more competitive price per shipment for the purchaser, as these products may be used many times.

Humans or Machines

Products are either packed by hand, which adds human-error elements, or packaging machines are used which do the job quickly and efficiently. Businesses that require transportation or storage of goods at a controlled temperature should consider packaging machines through packaging-machines.co.uk to speed up the packaging process.

Cost

Cost is always a major consideration when it comes to packaging, but temperature-controlled packaging is key to ensuring goods are delivered in their desired condition. By avoiding problems and the spoiling of goods, overall cost savings will be made. Therefore it is more cost-effective to have the right packaging and have goods in perfect condition than to have them spoiled by using cheaper, less effective packaging solutions.

The packaging business therefore has a constant challenge to create better temperature-controlled packaging that is efficient in terms of its weight and size, easier to prepare and is more cost-efficient. Unless there is a new development in the technology used, the current market is concentrating on improving factors such as design, operational efficiency, quality thermal testing reports, hazard reduction and ease of use. Each step will move us closer to the ideal temperature-controlled packaging.