One of the more versatile forms of shipping protection for temperature sensitive cargo is the passive pallet cover. Unlike the reefer unit, which requires electrical energy to power a refrigeration unit to maintain the necessary temperature, passive pallet covers rely on insulation and the physics of phase changes to maintain temperature. Here’s when it makes sense for you to be using them.
Your Shipment Is Smaller
If you’re filling out an entire cargo container with temperature sensitive goods, it may make more sense to invest in a reefer unit to protect such a sizable shipment. However, if you’re only shipping a pallet or two, the expense of protecting them with a container sized reefer unit is wasteful. In instances of smaller shipments, passive pallet covers make more sense from a volume and performance perspective.
Your Shipping Involves Many Modes
It’s one thing to transport a shipment by truck from one destination to another. It’s quite another if your shipment must travel by ship, then by train, and finally by truck to its final destination. Or travel first by truck, then by plane, then by train, and finally by another truck. You may not always be able to rely on reefer units to protect shipments during multi-modal transportation, and this is where passive pallet covers add another protective layer.
You Want A Sustainable Solution
While reefer units are reliable, they also require more investment, both financially and in terms of energy. Because reefer units are essentially durable refrigerators that can be moved, they are costly, but they also require a source of electricity to operate. Passive pallet covers, on the other hand, are 100% electricity-free and reusable, so they can be deployed repeatedly for more shipping after paying for them only once.
You Want Flexibility
Reefer units are standardized in size, both for technical and logistical purposes. However, the size of your cargo may vary wildly from one shipment to the next. If you’re shipping a unique number of pallets, a passive pallet cover may provide the protection you need without needing to worry about meeting specific logistics requirements. You can ship only as much as you need to, and pay only as much as you need to for temperature protection. This gives you more control over your shipping options, and just as importantly, your budget.
If you’re shipping temperature-sensitive products and want to know what kind of passive pallet cover will safely transport them to their destination, we can help. Contact us to explain your shipping needs and obtain a quote.
