Temperature Controlled Packaging

Is there a need for you to move goods from one place to another in a temperature-controlled environment? If yes, you should understand that you need temperature-controlled packaging to prevent the goods from perishing. However, temperature-controlled packaging is a complex subject. So, take the time to read this guide that explains some of the things you need to know about temperature-controlled packaging.

What is temperature-controlled packaging?

Temperature-controlled packaging refers to the method involved in transporting goods while still ensuring that they are safe for use without losing their purpose. Generally, the goods that require temperature-controlled packaging are highly sensitive items that require specific attention and temperature control to maintain their relevance and purpose during storage and transportation. Without the assistance of temperature-controlled packaging, such goods would have become useless by the time they get to the place where they are needed.

Although temperature-controlled packaging applies to many goods, the most common ones include pharmaceutical products, chemicals, supplements, farm produce, and medical specimens. To take care of temperature-controlled packaging, temperature-controlled shipping is often required. Otherwise called cold chain logistics, temperature-controlled shipping relies on the use of a wide range of materials including heating elements, insulating materials, and phase-change items. Overall, these materials are capable of preventing the stored or transported goods from losing its purpose or usefulness.

Why do manufacturers need temperature-controlled packaging?

Typically, temperature-controlled packaging is extensive, and, as such, manufacturers usually have to spend a lot of money on it. As a result of this, you may wonder why manufacturers still manage to go extra miles to invest in temperature-controlled packaging for their products. This is because temperature-controlled packaging is instrumental in ensuring the progress of their businesses in the following ways:

1.   It protects the integrity of their products

For manufacturers that produce and offer perishable or contaminable goods, they need to ensure that the integrity of their products is protected when shipped or stored. Without mincing words, temperature-controlled packaging is one of the most important ways to ensure the protection of product integrity. For instance, if a manufacturer has stored a particular product at a specific temperature, it is essential to maintain the temperature when it is being transported to another place. Failure to do so can lower the overall integrity of the product.

In many cases, failure to use temperature-controlled packaging for medical specimens, farm produce, and other goods will make them useless or even harmful. Therefore, to avoid this problem, manufacturers often rely on temperature-controlled packaging.

2.   It is money-saving

Although temperature-controlled packaging is quite costly, it helps manufacturers save money in the long run. How? Firstly, temperature-controlled packaging assists manufacturers to avoid the possibility of delivering bad, harmful, or unusable goods. As a result of this, the buyers don’t have to return the goods; hence, the manufacturers can make substantial profits on their products.

What’s more, if manufacturers choose to use other methods for shipping their products, they may have to pay additional money to hire a cooled truck. Using a cooled truck to move goods over a long distance will cost them an arm and a leg. However, by taking advantage of the opportunities provided by temperature-controlled packaging, manufacturers can save lots of money on the shipping of their products.

How to ensure the success of temperature-controlled packaging

As mentioned earlier, temperature-controlled packaging is a complex process that involves lots of steps. Consequently, businesses need to take the right steps as they try to get the ideal temperature-controlled packaging for their goods. By following some tips, you can avoid pitfalls that could have marred your temperature-controlled packaging.

Here are some tips to ensure the success of your temperature-controlled packaging:

·         Choose the ideal packaging method

In general, there are tons of packaging methods that you can use for different products. However, it is essential to choose packaging that suits your specific product. Dry ice, cool packs, and gel packs are the most common items for temperature-controlled packaging. After selecting the right item, you also have to choose various types of insulation packaging to ensure that the temperature of your goods is maintained through the shipping period.

Some of the most common packaging methods include:

Ø  Insulated carry bags

This packaging is suitable for food produce, wine, and other kinds of chilled goods. When you use insulated carry bags, the consumers will get their goods inside the bags and just warm them up at home for consumption.

Ø  Lined boxes and foil bubble bags

For goods that must be stored below 5°C, this is the best packaging. To guarantee better control of the goods, you can add cool packs or gel packs to this packaging.

Ø  Polystyrene boxes

Along with gel packs, dry ice, or cool packs, this packaging can come in handy for keeping goods that must be stored below18°C for around 24 hours.

·         Consider the best shipping method

Shipping is another important aspect of temperature-controlled packaging that you need to consider. For individual parcels, it is recommended that you keep them in protective packaging so that the temperature is insulated. Bulk products, on the other hand, can be kept in pallets. Also, store the bulk goods in temperature control containers for proper temperature regulation during shipping.

·         Monitor the temperature

Don’t take chances with the goods; ensure that you keep track of the temperature. Depending on the number and value of goods you are packaging, you can use wireless temperature tracking systems, temperature-sensitive stickers or temperature data loggers to monitor the temperature of your product from time to time.

·         Ensure safety

Some products that require temperature-controlled packaging are hazardous. Therefore, you need to put everything in place to ensure the safety of everyone packaging the goods or traveling with them. If you are using dry ice, you should also take measures that can prevent severe frostbite and other conditions that can harm people.

Overall, temperature-controlled packaging is an important procedure for manufacturers of contaminable or perishable goods. While the packaging offers lots of benefits to the users, they must take the right steps to ensure that the packaging succeeds.