Do you need to ship your goods in a temperature controlled environment? If your products are temperature sensitive, it’s important that they’re packed appropriately.
Whether you’re shipping chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food produce or even supplements, we’ve spoken to our experts and outlined several tips for you to consider!
Top tips for temperature controlled packaging
1. Get your packaging right
As a starting point, you should make sure you’re using the right packaging. Most temperature controlled packaging relies on three aids for lowering the temperature: cool packs, gel packs and dry ice.
You can then use several types of insulation packaging to maintain the temperature you require. You can choose from packaging like:
- Foil bubble bags and lined boxes – you should choose this type of packaging if your products need to be kept below 5°C. You can use foil lined products with gel packs or cool packs for added control too
- Polystyrene boxes – you can use this type of insulation with dry ice, cool packs or gel packs to keep your goods frozen below -18°C for 24 hours
- Insulated carry bags – if you work in a retail environment selling chilled goods, such as wine or food, using insulated carrier bags can help your customers get their goods home before they warm up
2. Think about your shipping method
Are you shipping individual parcels or goods in bulk? You will need to pack individual parcels in protective packaging that insulates the temperature of your goods.
If you’re shipping in bulk, you can palletise your goods and then use temperature control containers or containers packed with dry ice that regulate the temperature of your products in transit.
3. Make sure you can keep an eye on the temperature
If you need basic temperature monitoring, you can apply temperature sensitive stickers to your package. If you’re pre-packing and storing any goods before transit, you may want to consider temperature data loggers too, which monitor temperatures of your goods over time.
In addition, if you are shipping high volumes and you want to track the temperature of your goods in transit, you could invest in GPS and wireless temperature tracking systems.
4. Health and Safety Hazards
If you choose to use dry ice, you need to remember it’s classed as hazardous substance by the government’s UK Health & Safety Executive.
The risks associated with using the material include contact hazards such as severe frostbite if it comes into contact with your skin. In extreme cases, the carbon dioxide dry ice emits can create a suffocation hazard for your workers in confined spaces. In addition, if you don’t vent the carbon dioxide from your containers or work-space, dry ice can also carry a risk of explosion.
So, how can you minimise the risk? First, you need to make sure you don’t pack your goods in brittle plastics that can be rendered breakable in the cold. Next you should make sure your hazardous material training is up to date. Plus, you should clearly mark if your packages with the appropriate hazard labeling.
Do you need help navigating temperature control packaging?
If you want to chat to one of our experts about this or any other packaging queries, simply call 01902 49666 to book an appointment. You can also email us or complete our contact form.
Sources
University of California – Source 2
