When it comes to cold chain logistics, the passive pallet cover can often be one of the more versatile solutions for keeping temperature-sensitive products protected. Unlike a reefer unit, which is a traditional, powered refrigeration solution, a passive pallet cover use innovatively designed and constructed layers to preserve internal temperature without the use of electrical power. Here are six reasons why businesses should use passive pallet covers for shipping temperature-sensitive products.
Cost-Effective
Using a reefer unit, which is typically the size of a cargo container or truck trailer, requires more investment. Because it is an electrically powered solution, reefer units incur higher maintenance, usage, and purchasing costs. Passive pallet covers, however, are much cheaper while essentially fulfilling the same function.
Lower Maintenance
Reefer units, when they break down, require more time, money, and effort to restore functionality. Passive pallet covers are a simpler solution that can be easily replaced with new covers when needed but can also be used multiple times, increasing their efficiency.
Environmentally Friendly
Refrigeration units negatively impact the environment due to their need for power, sometimes provided by diesel or gasoline fuel, and their waste byproducts, like nitric oxide, which contributes to the greenhouse effect of climate change. Because passive pallet covers are just a physical barrier, they don’t have any of these environmental negatives, and their reusability helps sustainability efforts.
More Flexibility
Reefer units are entire trailers or cargo containers. This means businesses, to get the most value for money, must either have enough product to fill a reefer unit or find a partner to share shipping costs with. Passive pallet covers, however, can fit a much larger range of products. So if there’s only a need for two pallets, they can be protected and sent in any size of the vehicle that can hold them, not just a vehicle rated to carry a reefer unit.
More Independence
Reefer units are in high demand, which means that they are not always available. If you depend on them for your temperature-sensitive products, your shipping schedule may be at the mercy of reefer unit availability rather than what’s actually most economically beneficial to your business.
Passive pallet covers free you from this dependency, allowing businesses to schedule shipping as and when they need to.
More Modes Of Transportation
Reefer units typically mean transportation occurs by ship or truck. Passive pallet covers, on the other hand, can be loaded onto any vehicle that is able to accept the load. The freedom from dependency on refrigeration units means that any truck, train, ship, or plane is able to take this cargo and deliver it to the next link in cold chain logistics.
Crucially, this also means that the “last mile,” especially for direct-to-consumer products that are typically carried in vans or smaller delivery trucks, is still kept at their optimal temperature despite not having refrigeration protection.
If you’ve got temperature-sensitive products and you want to ensure they are shipped safely, we can help. Contact Protek Cargo with your needs and get a quote.
