Compare equivalent test data
Match the actual grade, density, thickness, mean temperature, moisture and ageing basis. Building-material data can explain measurement principles but do not qualify a cold-chain package.
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Insulation Material Reference for Cold Chain Packaging
Compare insulation families for your package design. Consider usable payload space, moisture exposure, return logistics and the complete packout; a material’s conductivity alone cannot establish shipping performance.
Describe your insulation design
Build a discussion shortlist from your design priorities. These options are not product recommendations or qualified shipping configurations.
Choose a design priority to see material families and questions to discuss.
Ten insulation families and design checks
Reference categories, not Tempk product specifications. Conductivity depends on the grade, density, mean test temperature, moisture and ageing. Compare matching test conditions and the installed structure.
10 of 10 reference entries shown
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| Compare | Material | Structure / design role | Thermal data basis | Assembly checks | Where to evaluate | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum insulation panel (VIP) | Evacuated sealed panel for designs with limited wall space. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Protect the envelope; review edges, joints and fit. | Compact parcel or pallet systems needing protected panels. | Ageing, edge effects, vacuum integrity and damage checks. | |
| Aerogel blanket | Flexible insulation layer for shaped liners and local details. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Review covering, compression and dust containment. | Space-limited liners or difficult corners in a reviewed structure. | Grade, installed thickness, handling protection and cost. | |
| Phenolic foam board | Rigid foam panel used in some insulation structures. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Check brittleness, facing and edge protection. | Rigid panel concepts where the grade and supply form are suitable. | Service temperature, contact controls and specific test evidence; no generic fire rating. | |
| PUR / PIR rigid foam | Rigid foam for panel or moulded insulation concepts. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Review foam ageing, facings, joints and lid construction. | Parcel or pallet insulation systems with a defined wall structure. | Actual formulation, aged properties, fit and manufacturing tolerances. | |
| XPS foam board | Closed-cell rigid foam board for panel construction. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Review seams, cut edges and moisture exposure. | Rigid box or liner concepts with appropriate handling protection. | Grade-specific water uptake, conductivity and material compatibility. | |
| EPS moulded box / panel | Expanded polystyrene bead foam in moulded boxes or panels. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Review density, bead fusion, lid fit and crush resistance. | One-way food or other temperature-sensitive parcel systems. | Actual grade, wall geometry, handling and local disposal options. | |
| EPP moulded foam box | Expanded polypropylene bead foam for reusable structures. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Review cleaning, damage inspection and return logistics. | Returnable totes or reusable parcel concepts. | Grade, thermal evidence and a defined reuse process; no universal cycle count. | |
| EPE / PE foam liner | Flexible polyethylene foam for liners, cushioning and separators. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Review compression, lamination, seams and closure. | Pouches or flexible layers within a reviewed packout. | Installed thickness and full-system performance; not a long-duration guarantee. | |
| Mineral wool / glass wool panel | Fibre insulation mainly considered for industrial enclosures. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Control fibre shedding, compression and moisture. | Industrial or pallet enclosure concepts where containment is suitable. | Contact protection and handling suitability; not a generic direct-contact parcel liner. | |
| Corrugated fibreboard / paper honeycomb | Structural spacer, insert or carton layer; geometry affects heat transfer. | Request conductivity and thickness data for the exact grade. | Review flutes, air gaps, moisture and compression. | Structural layers combined with suitable insulation and coolant. | Specific construction and local recycling acceptance; not a universal insulation substitute. |
Reference categories, not Tempk product specifications. Conductivity depends on the grade, density, mean test temperature, moisture and ageing. Compare matching test conditions and the installed structure.
Compare up to three entries
Select rows to keep their preparation and configuration questions together. Selections remain available when you filter the table.
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Estimate one layer’s thermal resistance
Enter the installed layer thickness and a documented conductivity for the same material and conditions. This steady-state estimate applies to a uniform layer; it is not a whole-box rating.
Use a decimal dot or comma, without thousands separators. R = (d / 1000) / k; layer conductance per area = 1 / R. These are SI units, not US customary R units.
Layer thermal resistance R (m²·K/W)
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Layer conductance per area (W/(m²·K))
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The result excludes panel edges, joints, lid gaps, surface resistances and other layers. It does not calculate whole-box U-value, heat load, hold time or required coolant mass.
Turn material data into a packaging design
Review the installed wall
Account for corners, lid fit, panel edges, compression, facings and usable payload space. Confirm how the outer shell, liner and insulation work together.
Verify the complete packout
Review payload, coolant layout, starting conditions and route exposure together. Check cleaning and inspection for reuse; confirm local recycling acceptance for the specific construction.
Insulation material questions
Which insulation is best for cold chain packaging?
There is no universal best material. Compare payload space, wall construction, preparation, handling, route exposure and thermal evidence for the complete packout.
Why are there no default conductivity ranges in this table?
Grade, density, temperature, moisture, ageing and test method affect the result. Request the actual material data sheet and use comparable conditions instead of a generic midpoint.
Does a higher layer R-value mean a longer shipping duration?
It describes greater resistance to heat flow for that layer under the stated conditions. Shipping duration also depends on joints, coolant, payload, starting state and the ambient profile; confirm it with full-system evidence.
Can VIP or aerogel always replace a thicker foam wall?
Review the installed design, protective layers, edges, available sizes, handling and cost. A low centre-of-panel conductivity does not describe every joint or damaged panel.
Does reusable or recyclable mean environmentally better?
Review the actual return rate, cleaning, service life, material separation and local recycling acceptance. A material label alone does not establish an environmental benefit.
What should I send for an insulation review?
Share internal and external dimensions, allowable wall space, product temperature limits, payload, coolant concept, route duration and conditions, handling and reuse plan, plus available material or packout test data.
Prepare an insulation inquiry
The design context, selected materials and any layer calculation are included below. Add your dimensions, product temperature limits, route duration and specific question.