Verbiage used in the cold chain industry can be tricky to understand. ColdShip is here to help.

Cold chain is a [low] temperature controlled supply chain. It has also been described as a semi-uninterrupted process flow that includes refrigeration, storage, distribution, equipment, packaging, and logistics/transportation management.

Thermal insulation is the reduction of heat transfer between objects in thermal contact. 

The generation, use, conversion, and exchange of thermal energy between physical systems using conduction, convection, and radiation.

Dimensional weight reflects package density, which is the amount of space a package occupies compared to its actual weight. 

Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products.

Sustainability has many definitions used in various contexts, but in packaging, it is the sourcing, development, and use of packaging solutions that have minimal environmental impact and footprint.

Composting is the process of placing materials in a home compost bin to decompose into nutrient-rich soil within a certain period of time.

Void fill fits into gaps between a box and its contents, preventing shifting during transit.

Examples of products used for void fill are paper dunnage, bubble wrap, air pillows, etc.

Greenwashing is a marketing spin in which PR is deceptively used to persuade the public that an organization's products, aims, and policies are environmentally friendly.

An insulating material’s resistance to conductive heat flow is measured or rated in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value -- the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. A higher R-value is desirable for an insulated shipping box.

PET (also abbreviated PETE) is short for polyethylene terephthalate, it is the chemical name for polyester.  PET is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages. 

Fun fact: Virtually all single-serving and 2-liter bottles of carbonated soft drinks and water sold in the U.S. are made from P.E.T.

EPS is an acronym for expanded polystyrene. Most commonly referred to as Styrofoam™.  It is a white foam plastic material produced from solid beads of polystyrene. It is primarily used for packaging and insulation. Although it has good insulation properties, it is not good for the environment. Styrofoam™  is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable.

According to Washington University, Styrofoam takes 500 years to decompose; it cannot be recycled, so the Styrofoam dumped in landfills are there to stay.

Fun fact: STYROFOAM™ is a registered trademark for a line made exclusively by The Dow Chemical Company.