Thermal cover for containers and sea freight
A thermal cover for containers is an insulating cover for a load in or around a container: an IBC, a roll container, a drum or a pallet that you load into a container. For the container itself there is another product, the container liner. Which of the two you need depends on what you want to protect: the individual load or the whole space. This article explains the difference and shows where a thermal cover for containers has its place.
Thermal blanket for container: what is meant?
A thermal blanket for container can mean two things: a cover over one unit, such as an IBC or a pallet, or insulation for the inside of a sea container. The first is an insulated pallet cover, the second a container liner.
Our thermal pallet covers were developed for air freight and refrigerated shipping. In the product data they are named for pallets, IBC containers, drums, roll containers and ULD. We make no statements about use in a sea container, about sea transport or about a particular duration at sea.
Thermal cover or container liner?
A thermal cover goes around the load. A container liner lines the space in which the load stands.
| Question | Thermal cover | Container liner |
|---|---|---|
| What does it protect? | One pallet, IBC, drum or roll container | The whole interior of the container |
| Which collection? | Insulated pallet covers | Container insulation |
You will find more about container insulation in our article on insulating a sea container and in the container insulation collection. For the trade-off with a refrigerated container, read reefer or container liner.
Thermal cover for containers: which versions fit?
If there is an IBC, a drum or a roll container in your container, you look at these sizes. For a thermal cover for containers these are the relevant versions:
- IBC container: 120 x 100 x 120 cm, for liquids in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries;
- drum: 60 x 60 x 90 cm;
- roll container: 85 x 70 x 155 cm with fold-up door, or 85 x 70 x 150 cm without opening;
- pallets: 120 x 80 x 150 cm, 120 x 100 x 150 cm and 120 x 120 x 150 cm;
- ULD PMC: 320 x 240 x 150 cm, for air freight containers.
All covers are reusable and made of sturdy materials. All sizes are at our insulated pallet covers.
What a cover around one unit adds
The cover protects against temperature swings and moisture around one unit. Extra cooling in the load is possible with cooling elements. An insulated base of bubble film laminated with aluminum closes off the underside, because warm air rises. We have bases available for euro pallets and block pallets, also in double-layer and 8 mm thick.
Condensation, moisture and the limits of a cover
A cover protects against rain, humidity and condensation. For controlling condensation in the whole container there are other solutions, described in the article Condensation and heat in the container: liner and desiccant bags.
We do not state here a number of days or degrees that the cover would hold out at sea.
What the product pages name per version
| Version | Size | Contents and application named |
|---|---|---|
| Insulated cover, IBC | 120 x 100 x 120 cm | Designed for Intermediate Bulk Containers, with liquids and products in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries, such as syrups and oils |
| Insulated cover, drum | 60 x 60 x 90 cm | Drums with liquids and bulk goods, in the chemical industry, pharmaceutical logistics and the food industry |
| Insulated cover, roll container | 85 x 70 x 155 cm | Standard roll containers with vegetables, meat, vaccines, medicines and chilled supermarket deliveries |
| Roll container cover with fold-up door | 85 x 70 x 155 cm | Fold-up door at the front: access to the goods without removing the cover, for distribution trips with multiple stops |
| Roll container cover without opening | 85 x 70 x 150 cm | Fully closed, no seams where cold can escape, the container is only opened at the final destination |
| ULD thermal cover PMC | 320 x 240 x 150 cm | For PMC air freight containers, with cargo such as medicines and fresh produce |
How the IBC page describes the cover
The IBC page calls the same cover a thermal insulation cover, insulated pallet cover, thermal blanket, thermal cover, thermo cover or cargo cover. The properties listed are thermal insulation for the contents, durable and reusable material and a cover that is quick to place and firm to fasten. According to the page the cover was specially developed for air freight and maintains temperature during refrigerated shipping.
How the page of the drum cover describes it
The page of the drum cover names thermal insulation for the contents, reusable high-quality materials and a cover that can be fitted quickly and firmly around drums. The applications listed are pharmaceutical logistics, food production and industrial use with chemical substances.
Frequently asked questions about a thermal cover for containers
Can I use a thermal blanket for container in a sea container?
You can place a cover around an IBC, drum, roll container or pallet that travels in a container. Whether this is enough for your route depends on the load and the conditions. For the inside of the container itself you use a container liner.
What is the difference between a thermal cover and a liner?
The cover protects one unit. The liner protects the whole space. See also insulated pallet cover or shrink wrap for what a cover does differently from wrapping.
Is the cover reusable?
Yes, our insulated covers are reusable.
For which contents does the IBC page name the cover?
The page names liquids and products in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries: chemicals, vaccines and medicines, and food such as syrups and oils.
Which roll container cover closes completely?
The reusable version of 85 x 70 x 150 cm without opening. It is placed over the roll container in its entirety. For access to the goods along the way there is the version with fold-up door of 85 x 70 x 155 cm.
Order a thermal cover for containers
Choose the version that fits your IBC, drum, roll container or pallet in our range of insulated pallet covers. Cooled Solutions makes cold chain packaging in its own production since 1972. Get in touch if you are not sure whether a cover or a liner fits.
You will find all names in our glossary.
