German polyurethane manufacturer BASF claims that using polyurethane insulation in the cold chain process of food manufacturing and distribution is a highly effective way of saving energy, and, by extension, money. The findings are based on an eco-efficiency analysis conducted by polyurethane experts from Lemfoerde. The analysis shows that if all of the storage facilities, freezer chests and transport vehicles were to be insulated with polyurethane rigid foam with an optimized insulating thickness, then 16 times more energy could be saved than is needed for the production of the insulating material.
The cold chain is a lengthy process, taking a total of 75 days to complete. This involves freezing, deep-freezing, transporting, selling and storing the product ready for consumption. In this process, many deliveries are exposed to intensely warm weather, and so it is necessary to keep the produce below -20˚c every step of the way. Very often a great deal of energy and money is placed into this, and yet polyurethane rigid-foam insulation from BASF can slash costs for producers in the Middle East.
BASF has tailored the range of polyurethane foam to suit specific needs. The products include: Elastocool for refrigerators and freezers, Elastopir for refrigerated warehouses and cold-storage cells, and Elastopor for freezer chests, truck trailers and transportation boxes.
