Thermal protection for goods on pallets and in containers: how it works and how to choose

According to the manufacturer, temperature peaks, both hot and cold, can compromise the integrity of goods at every stage of transport: loading, unloading and waiting due to delays. That is why it is worth considering the whole journey and not just the main leg.

In a closed container, the manufacturer explains that the interior heats up considerably during the day and cools down at night, and that this change causes condensation on the walls and ceiling. Moisture is therefore added to temperature. In addition, the container's position on the ship, the route, the time of year and the length of the voyage mean that conditions vary widely from one shipment to another.

The sectors mentioned by the manufacturer include beverages, food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, chemicals, industry and perishables.

A thermal blanket is insulation placed around the load, or inside the container, to slow down heat exchange with the outside. According to the manufacturer, EMBACOVER is a passive system that slows down temperature peaks over short journeys, and its thermal solutions need no power to work.

What it does not do: it does not refrigerate, heat or hold a fixed temperature. If the goods require a controlled temperature throughout the journey, they need temperature-controlled transport. According to the manufacturer, its thermal container liners are generally recommended for loads that do not require a controlled temperature and can withstand moderate fluctuations; in that case they can be an alternative to a refrigerated container.

A thermal pallet cover is placed over the palletised load and protects it during transport and waiting times. According to the manufacturer, EMBACOVER protects the load from heat and moisture, as well as from odours and dirt. The manufacturer also suggests it for internal logistics and temporary storage, and for maintaining the cold chain over short journeys.

The manufacturer specifies it for air, land (in container), sea and river, and rail transport. It combines different materials and protection levels depending on the load, the duration and the type of journey, with standard sizes and made-to-measure options, for a single shipment or for reuse. According to the manufacturer, the covers are food grade.

Our catalogue includes the EMBACOVER 130, which has a published product page, and the EMBACOVER 55, AP3 MET-PET, AP4 MET-PET and FOAM models, with product sheets available on request. According to the manufacturer's data sheet, EMBACOVER 130 is a three-layer material: an outer layer of metallised PET (MET PET), an inner layer of aluminium and an intermediate layer of HDPE raffia fabric that provides strength. The manufacturer highlights the reflectivity of the aluminium and the barrier the material provides against light, oxygen and moisture. For the composition and protection level of each model, see the EMBACOVER range of thermal pallet covers and ask us for the technical data sheet.

As a general guide, the choice depends on how the load travels:

To recommend an option, it helps us to know:

• The type of goods and what temperature and humidity variation they can tolerate.
• Origin, destination, route and time of year.
• Expected journey time, including waiting times.
• Mode of transport.
• Number and dimensions of the pallets, or container size.
• Whether the protection will be single-use or reused.

How a thermal blanket performs depends on the goods, the route, the time of year, the length of the journey and the position of the load. That is why we do not publish generic protection times or temperatures.

According to the manufacturer, it has performance charts from real journeys and a laboratory test under extreme conditions. If you need them for your case, we will request them for you together with the official technical data sheet for each model, so that you can compare them with the requirements of your goods.

We can advise you on choosing between a thermal pallet cover and a thermal container liner, and on identifying the model that best suits your load. Tell us what you are shipping, how it travels and what conditions it must withstand, and we will send you the information and the manufacturer's official documentation.

Control y Suministros, S.L. · Ronda General Mitre 126, 6th floor, 08021 Barcelona, Spain · Phone: +34 933 409 759 · Email: comercial@controlysuministros.com · Contact form

Does a thermal blanket cool the goods?

No. It is passive protection: it does not produce cold or use power. According to the manufacturer, it slows down the temperature peaks that reach the load.

Can it replace a refrigerated container?

According to the manufacturer, it can be an alternative when the goods do not require a constant temperature and can tolerate some variation. If they need a controlled temperature, it does not replace one.

What is the difference between a thermal pallet cover and a thermal liner?

The EMBACOVER cover wraps each pallet. The EMBATUFF Thermal Liner lines the inside of a Dry Van container and protects the whole load inside it.

Do they also protect against moisture?

According to the manufacturer, both ranges are designed to protect the load from temperature and moisture, as well as from odours and dirt.

Are they reusable?

According to the manufacturer, the EMBATUFF Thermal Liner is reusable, and the EMBACOVER range offers single-use and reusable options.

How many hours does it protect for, or what temperature can it withstand?

It depends on the goods, the route, the time of year and the length of the journey, so we do not publish generic figures. Ask us for the manufacturer's technical data sheet and test documentation.