EPS particles, or expanded polystyrene particles, are widely used in cold chain logistics due to their excellent thermal insulation performance, lightweight characteristics and cost-effectiveness. Cold chain logistics refers to maintaining a low temperature environment throughout the transportation and storage process to ensure the quality and safety of food, medicine and other perishable items. EPS particles play an important role in cold chain logistics through their unique physical properties. The following will discuss the application of EPS particles in cold chain logistics and their thermal insulation effect from multiple perspectives.
The thermal insulation performance of EPS particles mainly comes from its closed-cell structure. During the foaming process, a large number of closed tiny pores are formed inside EPS particles, which are filled with air, and air is a poor conductor of heat. This structure effectively blocks the transfer of heat, thereby achieving excellent thermal insulation effect. In addition, the low thermal conductivity of EPS particles (usually 0.03-0.04 W/m·K) further enhances its thermal insulation ability.
In cold chain logistics, EPS particles are usually made into packaging containers of various shapes, such as insulated boxes, refrigerators and ice packs. These containers can effectively maintain the internal low-temperature environment and prevent external heat from invading. For example, in the transportation of fresh food, EPS insulated boxes can ensure that food remains fresh during long-term transportation, reducing spoilage and loss. In addition, EPS packaging containers can also be customized in size and shape according to specific needs to meet the transportation requirements of different products.
Medicines, especially vaccines and biologics, are extremely sensitive to temperature and must be transported and stored within a strict temperature range. Insulated boxes and refrigerated boxes made of EPS particles can provide a stable low-temperature environment to ensure that medicines are not affected by temperature fluctuations during transportation. For example, in the global distribution of the new crown vaccine, EPS insulated boxes have played an important role in ensuring the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine.
EPS particles have an extremely low density, usually between 10-30 kg/m³, which makes the packaging containers made of them very light. In cold chain logistics, lightweight packaging can not only reduce transportation costs, but also reduce energy consumption. In addition, lightweight packaging is easy to handle and stack, which improves logistics efficiency. For example, in air transportation, the lightweight characteristics of EPS insulated boxes help reduce fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
In addition to thermal insulation performance, EPS particles also have excellent impact resistance. In cold chain logistics, packaging containers may experience multiple handling and transportation. The elastic structure of EPS particles can effectively absorb impact and protect the internal items from damage. For example, in seafood transportation, EPS insulation boxes can not only maintain low temperatures, but also prevent seafood from being damaged by collisions during transportation.
Although EPS particles perform well in cold chain logistics, their environmental performance has always attracted much attention. EPS particles themselves are not biodegradable, but they can be recycled and reused to reduce environmental impact. For example, used EPS packaging containers can be crushed and reprocessed to make new EPS products. In addition, some companies are also developing degradable EPS alternative materials to further improve environmental performance.
With the continuous growth of cold chain logistics demand, the application prospects of EPS particles are very broad. In the future, EPS particles may be further developed in the following aspects: first, by improving the production process, the insulation performance and strength of EPS particles can be improved; second, more environmentally friendly EPS materials can be developed to reduce the impact on the environment; finally, combined with intelligent technology, EPS packaging containers with temperature monitoring functions can be developed to further improve the efficiency and safety of cold chain logistics.
The application of EPS particles in cold chain logistics and their insulation effect are remarkable. Through their excellent insulation performance, light weight and impact resistance, EPS particles provide reliable protection for the transportation of perishable items such as food and medicine. Although its environmental performance still needs to be improved, through recycling and technological innovation, the application prospects of EPS particles in cold chain logistics are still broad. In the future, with the continuous advancement of technology, EPS particles will play a more important role in cold chain logistics.
