Container liner or container insulation: what is meant?
A container liner is an insulating inner lining that you place in a sea container to protect the cargo from heat, cold and moisture. Container insulation means the same job, but as a general term: insulating the cargo space, with a flexible liner or with rigid panels. At Cooled Solutions you order the container liner per container type, available from stock and made in our own production since 1972.
Container liner, container liners and insulated container liner are names for the same product. Below you will read which names exist, how a liner works and when it fits.
Container liner or container insulation: two terms, two meanings
On this page we mean only the thermal version: a shipping container insulation liner made of reflective foil that lines the cargo space of the container.
Container insulation is the broader term. It covers every way of insulating a sea container, so also insulation boards or container insulation panels against the wall and the ceiling. Insulation is the goal, the container liner is the product. Other names and spellings are container insulation liner and insulation for shipping container.
Which names exist for the same product?
These names mean the same: container liner, thermal container liner, container thermal liner, thermal liner and insulated container liner. On our product pages the item is called sea container insulation liner, followed by the container type.
| Name | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Container liner, container liners | The product itself |
| Sea container insulation liner | Name on our product pages, per container type |
| Thermal container liner | Name in the description of the collection |
| Thermal liner, thermal container liner, insulated container liner | Other names for the same product |
| Container insulation | The concept: insulating the cargo space |
It is always about the same thing: an insulating layer between the cargo and the outside temperature.
How does a thermal container liner work?
Our sea container insulation liner is made of reflective, aluminum-coated bubble foil. The liner lines the cargo space in one go. It limits the effect of solar radiation, heat and cold weather conditions during a long sea route. This creates a more stable temperature in the container and the quality of the cargo is better preserved.
A container liner is passive insulation. It does not actively cool. That is exactly the difference with a reefer, a refrigerated container with active cooling. The liner does not make the cargo cold, it limits the effect of the outside temperature.
The liner is easy to install without specialist tools and, when handled with care, suitable for reuse.
Container liner or rigid panels: what suits your shipment?
Container insulation can be done in two ways. Insulation boards or panels are placed against the wall and the ceiling. A flexible liner is laid over the entire inside in one go. The advantage of the liner is that it is quick, that no installation work is needed and that you can use it again.
For the installation there is a guide of 9 steps with photos, from unrolling the liner on the container floor to zipping up the door cover. You will find the PDF with the products in the collection. Would you like to know more about the placement itself? Then read our blog insulating a sea container: inside or outside.
For which cargo and which containers?
A container liner is meant for cargo that is temperature sensitive but does not need to go in a reefer. Examples are wine, oil, chocolate, cosmetics and electronics. The sea container insulation liner is also meant for fish, meat, pharmaceutical products and chemicals. It is an affordable alternative for anyone who wants to insulate a container without active cooling.
Our container liners come in four sizes, matched to the container type:
- 20DV: 589 x 233 x 233 cm
- 40DV: 1,200 x 233 x 233 cm
- 40HC: 1,200 x 233 x 269 cm
- 45HC: 1,335 x 233 x 269 cm
Not sure which size fits your container? Our blog on the sizes 20DV, 40DV, 40HC and 45HC goes through them. Do you want to weigh the cost of a liner against that of a refrigerated container? Then reefer or container liner: weighing the costs helps further.
Frequently asked questions about the container liner
Is a container liner the same as container insulation?
Almost. Container insulation is the goal, the container liner is one of the means. Other means are insulation boards and container insulation panels. The advantage of the liner is that you insulate the entire cargo space in one go.
What is the difference between a thermal liner and a container liner?
No difference in the product. Thermal liner and container liner are two names for the same thing. Insulated container liner and thermal container liner also mean the same.
Does a container liner replace a reefer?
No. A liner insulates passively and does not cool. It is an alternative for cargo that is temperature sensitive but needs no active cooling. If your cargo needs strict cooling, a reefer remains the right choice.
Order a container liner
In the collection container liner you will find all sizes, the specifications and the installation guide. For single shipments and smaller loads, also look at our cooling packaging, and for pallets at the insulated pallet covers.
You will find all names for this product in our glossary.
