Insulation materials for chilled transport — from a single box to a complete pallet
Insulation material forms the passive barrier that protects your product against heat, cold and temperature fluctuations during transport. It doesn't cool by itself, but slows the transfer of heat from outside — so your shipment stays within the right temperature window for longer. Combined with cooling elements, this creates a complete, reliable cold chain, whether you're shipping one box or an entire pallet. As a Dutch manufacturer since 1972, we supply the full range from our own stock.
Which insulation material do you need?
The right choice depends mainly on the size of your shipment and how you pack. Below are the four main applications, each with the corresponding material.
Pallets and roll containers → thermal covers
If you ship entire pallets or roll containers, choose a thermal cover — a reusable insulation blanket that encloses the whole pallet or ULD. Widely used in air freight and chilled road transport, in standard sizes for EURO and US pallets and for ULDs such as LD3, LD6 and PMC.
Single boxes → cool bags or insulation film
If you want to insulate single boxes, use a cool bag or insulated bag as an inner lining in the box, or line the box with insulation film on a roll, which you easily cut to size. Both are flexible, lightweight and compact to store.
Small, flat shipments → thermal envelopes
If you ship small, flat products by post or courier, a thermal envelope is lightweight, cost-effective and often fits through the letterbox — ideal for sushi, cheese, charcuterie or pharma samples.
Beneath the load → insulated base sheet
The base is often the weakest point in the insulation. Place an insulated base sheet beneath the load to hold cold in from below — combined with a thermal cover you seal the entire pallet into a complete insulation cocoon.
How does insulation material work?
Our insulation materials work on two principles at once. A reflective layer (aluminium or metalized PET) reflects radiant heat back, while a buffer of still air — in bubble wrap, foam or a honeycomb structure — slows heat transfer. Together they keep the temperature inside your packaging stable for longer.
Important: insulation material doesn't cool by itself. It extends the effect of your cooling. So always combine it with gel packs or cooling elements, place them on top of the product (cold air sinks) and pack as tightly as possible. The less empty space, the better the result.
What is insulation material used for?
- Food and fresh e-commerce. Delivering meat, fish, dairy and meal kits chilled to the customer, even with delayed delivery.
- Pharma and air freight. Medicines, vaccines and biological samples within a strict temperature range, compliant with GDP and IATA.
- Produce and flowers. Protecting vegetables, fruit and cut flowers against temperature peaks and condensation during transhipment and export.
- Road transport and last-mile. A passive solution when a refrigerated vehicle is unavailable or too costly.
Why insulation material from Cooled Solutions?
We are one of Europe's specialists in thermal covers and insulation films, with over fifty years of experience. Because we produce in-house, you benefit from:
- Own Dutch production. Short lines, so consistent quality and competitive prices.
- Custom solutions. We usually produce non-standard sizes or applications within 2 to 6 weeks.
- Fast delivery. Standard products are available directly from stock; order before 2:00 pm and it's usually shipped the same day.
- Practical advice. We help you choose the right combination of material, cooling and outer packaging for your transport profile.
Not sure which material suits your shipment, transit time or temperature requirement? Request advice or a quote without obligation — our specialists are happy to help.
