Airliner from Coldpack, a pioneering insulating film material that enables cost-effective temperature-controlled transit packaging, has been named best Packaging Solution at the recent Food Processing Awards.
Now in their 27th year, the Food Processing Awards are voted for by readers of the magazine, and therefore provide an excellent indication of what food companies consider the best latest developments for their industry.
”We congratulate Coldpack on garnering the most readers’ votes in the Packaging Solutions category,” comments David Strydom, editor of Food Processing. “Innovation is crucial in the food and beverage sector, and we believe Coldpack has been rewarded for producing a product that is particularly innovative”.
Airliner offers considerably lower weight and waste than existing alternatives of temperature-controlled transit packaging. Its unique patented construction comprises two layers of a special film, which are separated by an aluminised honeycomb structure. This combination of material and design, when filled with air, creates multiple compartments – known as ‘baffles’ – which block calorie transfer to minimise all three types of heat transfer, radiation, convection and conduction.
Airliner
Airliner can maintain products in packs of up to 70 litres either at ambient temperatures, typical product temperatures or at -18 ºC temperatures for frozen products. Contents are protected depending on the thermal fluctuations anticipated during transit; this is usually a 48 hour shipment, but special extended cooling systems are also available to offer protection for up to 120 hours if required.
Crucially, the volume of Airliner is primarily made up of the air or gas used to inflate it. This means that the pack can be supplied and stored flat, significantly reducing logistics and warehousing costs compared to rigid foam packaging. In addition, a Pira International life cycle assessment has found that the Airliner has 40% to 50% less impact on the environment than polystyrene.
When ready for use, the user simply inflates the Airliner using a variety of inflation devices. Airliner also acts as a cushion to absorb physical impacts during handling; when placed inside a suitable cartonboard box, the overall solution therefore both preserves and protects the contents throughout transport, a real benefit for food products such as cakes that rely on excellent presentation upon delivery. Its lighter weight also reduces transportation costs and carbon emissions.
For certain applications, the Airliner can be re-used. After use, it is easy to deflate for disposal, and unlike many other insulating materials, does not require a specific waste treatment or disposal levies.
“This award is a great achievement for Coldpack and we are proud of the recognition and success we have received since launching the Airliner in the UK,” comments Aymeric Du Rostu from Coldpack.
Coldpack
Laurianne Clement
Tel: +33 (0) 1 43 12 99 95
Email: l.clement@coldpack.com
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