Summer temperatures have already started breaking records, while experts are predicting 2024 might be our hottest year yet. Extreme heat can be especially damaging to products during shipping. Luckily, thermal quilt insulation works to protect against both cold and heat. Deploying pallet covers with thermal quilt insulation protects your vulnerable cargo against the heat.
How Does Extreme Heat Damage Products During Shipping?
Temperature fluctuations are a major cause of product damage during shipping. Heat can be especially damaging because it triggers chemical reactions. Here are the main ways that heat damages products during shipping:
- Spoils Perishable Goods: Heat accelerates the deterioration of perishable items like food and pharmaceuticals, leading to spoilage and loss of product quality. High temperatures cause bacterial growth and enzymatic reactions that render these goods unsafe or unusable.
- Melts And Warps Goods: Products made of materials such as chocolate, wax, plastics, and certain cosmetics will melt or warp under high temperatures. Warping not only affects the appearance but also the functionality of these products.
- Chemical Reactions: Heat can induce chemical reactions in certain products, altering their composition and effectiveness. For example, certain pharmaceuticals and chemical ingredients can become less effective or even hazardous if exposed to extreme temperatures.
- Packaging Damage: Extreme heat weakens and degrades packaging materials, compromising their ability to protect the contents. Heat can be especially damaging to the adhesives that hold packages together. Damage to packaging causes leaks, contamination, and further product damage during transit.
- Moisture Loss: Products often lose essential moisture when exposed to heat, resulting in dryness, cracking, or other forms of deterioration.
These damages increase during the summer months in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. With predictions for a scorching hot summer, there is likely to be a lot of these types of product damage.
How Thermal Quilt Insulation Protects Against Heat
Thermal quilt insulation consists of multiple layers of materials designed to provide superior thermal protection. In our SureTemp® pallet covers, we use a combination of reflective metalized film, non-woven polyester, and hollow-fiber fills. These materials work together to create air pockets that reduce heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation. The reflective layers bounce back radiant heat, while the polyester and fiberfill trap air, slowing down heat transfer. Our SuerTemp® pallet covers help maintain a stable internal temperature, protecting products from extreme heat during shipping. As a result, products remain at a consistent temperature, reducing the risk of heat-related damage such as spoilage, melting, or degradation.
If you’re struggling to protect your valuable cargo during the summer heat, contact Protek now. We’ll explore your options and help you find a thermal quilt insulation solution for your products.
