Thermo-adaptive packaging is becoming very popular in certain areas. This is packaging with materials that will expand, contract, or even change opacity and transparency with the heat or cold. This means that, when the package goes to a place where it might need to be protected, this packaging works wonders to help with this.
Shipping Temperature-Sensitive Goods
One of the main areas where thermo-adaptive packaging thrives is using it with temperature-sensitive goods. Medications are a big one, especially those that can potentially go to waste if they get too hot.
Another one is cosmetics. Too hot, and the materials melt. In some cases, especially with more natural ingredients, they may need to also be kept away from extreme cold so they don’t freeze either.
High-quality gourmet foods also need to be protected, especially if you’re a supplier of fresh, hot food and that’s your selling point.
Temperature sensitivity is important, and if your industry needs it, then it’s a good thing to use.
Smart Indicators or Reactive Materials
The thing with thermo-adaptive packaging is that you have two options—either adaptive materials that react when there’s a change, or a smart indicator that will change if the item gets too hot.
Thermochromic inks is an example of the reactive packaging that some use. This can offer an ink that will be protective.
Another big one is gel linings, which cool the item and change phase if they get too warm.
Smart indicators, such as a smart temperature control that knows when it gets too hot or beyond a threshold, is important. It is imperative that these thermo-adaptive packaging supplies are maintained, and will aptly react, however it might be.
Being Sustainable, is it Possible?
This is a question a lot of companies that jump on thermo-adaptive packaging ask themselves. Is it possible to push for sustainability with this?
The answer is yes.
Compostable cooling inserts that will bread down when you are done is important. Being able to make it so that your packaging is protected and also easy to toss is a big part of this.
Some have also used reusable wraps, where, once they’re done, the item is then reused again and again.
Some of these gel inserts are also made with bioplastics, a sustainable and biodegradable plastic that will help with protecting the items even better.
Finally, it also may hold some recyclable elements too. Some of these ice packs that might be used to help cool can be used again and again, improving the overall experience.
So yes, there is some sustainability to this, you just need to look a little deeper, and consider some of the alternative designs.
Who Has Used This
We see this with a lot of medical companies. various medications, especially those for serious diseases and cancer, need to be in a temperature-controlled environment. If it doesn’t get to the doctors fast enough, it causes problems.
Some companies, especially hot food joints that ship out their items to consumers, use this. Hello Fresh is a good example. They ship out their items to customers with some reactive temperature-controlled packaging, along with typical ice packs, in order to keep everything nice and cool.
Overall, thermo-adaptive packaging does have its benefits. Though it might not be as common compared to other types of packaging, it is out there. more and more companies are using this type of option, because with thermo-adaptive packaging, you’re able to build a packaging that’s not only useful for the here and now, but for the future of your packaging scope as well.
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