How are fresh products transported? A complete guide and eco-friendly solutions

Fresh produce is transported using two main methods: active refrigeration, used in refrigerated vehicles that generate continuous cooling, and passive refrigeration, which relies on insulated packaging combined with cold packs. The common objective remains the same: to maintain the cold chain between 0°C and +4°C to guarantee the food safety of perishable goods.

But how can temperature-controlled transport be achieved while minimizing environmental impact? Balancing thermal performance and ecological responsibility, e-commerce food logistics professionals must rethink their shipping solutions. The transport of fresh produce is evolving, and innovation in eco-friendly insulated packaging is paving the way for sustainable and efficient alternatives.

The two main methods of refrigerated transport

To transport perishable products, two approaches coexist, each adapted to different logistical contexts.

Active Refrigeration: Heavy Logistics

Active refrigeration relies on specialized vehicles equipped with refrigeration units that continuously generate cold. These refrigerated trucks are essential for large volumes and long distances, particularly in traditional distribution to supermarkets or warehouses. This method guarantees continuous and stable temperature control, indispensable for certain sensitive goods.

However, active refrigeration has limitations for the last mile and e-commerce: high cost, logistical rigidity and infrastructure constraints make it unsuitable for shipping individual parcels directly to consumers.

Passive Cooling: the flexible solution

Passive cooling is the preferred method for delivering fresh products in e-commerce. This technique combines high-performance insulated packaging with a cold source, typically frozen gel packs. Requiring no electrical or mechanical systems, this solution offers great flexibility for shipping individual packages through traditional delivery channels.

The thermal inertia created by the insulation allows the temperature to be maintained for 24 to 48 hours, or even longer depending on the quality of the packaging. This approach is revolutionizing last-mile food logistics, enabling e-commerce businesses to deliver cheeses, meats, fish, and seafood directly to customers' homes.

The crucial importance of insulated packaging

In a passive cooling system, insulated packaging plays a central role. Without effective insulation, even the best cold pack quickly loses its efficiency. Insulation creates a thermal barrier that limits heat exchange between the inside of the package and the outside environment, thus preventing thermal bridges that could compromise the cold chain.

The limitations of traditional solutions

For years, expanded polystyrene (EPS) dominated the insulated packaging market. Its insulating properties are undeniable, but this solution presents major drawbacks for professionals and their customers.

EPS is bulky to store in warehouses, difficult to handle, and, above all, disastrous from an environmental perspective. End consumers are left with cumbersome blocks of plastic that are virtually impossible to recycle through traditional channels. For a brand concerned about its image and its CSR approach, continuing to use polystyrene becomes a commercial obstacle in the face of increasingly environmentally conscious customers.

Paperfloc: the ecological revolution for transporting fresh produce

Faced with the limitations of polystyrene, a new generation of insulation is transforming the transport of fresh produce: solutions based on recycled cellulose. Among them, easy2cool's Paperfloc represents a decisive step forward for e-commerce businesses and logistics providers committed to sustainable practices.

What is Paperfloc?

Paperfloc is a thermal insulation material made from cellulose fibers derived from recycled paper. This raw material, transformed into high-density insulation, offers a thermal barrier comparable to traditional plastic solutions. Available in sleeves, mats, or modular panels, Paperfloc adapts to all package configurations.

Thermal performance: uncompromising efficiency

Climate chamber tests demonstrate that Paperfloc maintains the controlled temperature for 48 hours or more, thus meeting the refrigerated transport requirements for the majority of e-commerce shipments. Its fiber structure traps air, creating effective insulation that protects food products from external temperature fluctuations.

This performance allows e-commerce businesses to guarantee the health safety of their shipments while offering an impeccable customer experience, even during the summer period.

The decisive ecological advantage

Unlike polystyrene, Paperfloc is 100% recyclable through traditional paper and cardboard recycling channels. Your customers can simply place the packaging in their recycling bin, without guilt or complex waste management. This simplicity significantly improves the unboxing experience and strengthens the brand image of environmentally conscious companies.

Made from recycled materials and certified by recognized labels (including FSC), Paperfloc is part of a virtuous circular economy. It meets growing consumer demand for responsible packaging, while allowing professionals to showcase their CSR approach to their customers.

A rewarding customer experience

Beyond its technical performance, Paperfloc offers a pleasant unwrapping experience. Lightweight, clean, and easy to dispose of, it contrasts sharply with the frustrating experience of polystyrene, which shatters into thousands of messy beads. This difference matters in how your customers perceive your brand, particularly in premium markets such as gourmet foods, meats, and seafood.

Discover the Paperfloc Eco solution from easy2cool, the solution chosen by the Pickle.

How to prepare a refrigerated package with Paperfloc? Practical tutorial

Implementing effective insulated packaging involves a few simple but essential steps to ensure the cold chain is maintained.

1. Choose the appropriate cardboard box

Select a box with the appropriate dimensions for your product. An oversized box creates empty spaces that reduce insulation effectiveness. The correct size allows for better thermal inertia.

2. Install the Paperfloc insulation

Line the bottom and sides of the box with Paperfloc sleeves or mats. Make sure to cover all surfaces to prevent thermal bridging. The cushioning must be even, with no gaps allowing heat to penetrate.

3. Position the cold packs

Place your pre-frozen gel packs in the package. Important: Avoid direct contact between the pack and the food product to prevent freezer burn. The Paperfloc also acts as a temperature regulator, creating a buffer zone that protects your products while maintaining their temperature.

For optimal preservation, distribute the cold sources around the product according to the expected transport time and climatic conditions.

4. Ensure proper positioning and closure

Fill any remaining gaps with additional Paperfloc to secure the products and maintain insulation. Seal the box tightly, ensuring no gaps remain at the flaps. Thermal insulation is essential to preserve the effectiveness of your insulated packaging.

Regulations and compliance with the cold chain

The transport of temperature-controlled fresh produce is governed by strict hygiene standards. The HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) system requires professionals to guarantee traceability and maintain the correct temperature throughout the supply chain. For certain international or long-distance shipments, the ATP (Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs) standards may also apply.

Packaging validation

It is crucial to validate your packaging solutions before large-scale deployment. Climate chamber tests allow you to verify the thermal performance of your packages under various conditions (ambient temperature, solar exposure, transport duration). Easy2cool supports professionals in this validation process, ensuring that their Paperfloc packaging meets regulatory requirements and the specific constraints of each business.

This testing step is all the more important as it protects your business legally and commercially, by providing objective proof of your control of the cold chain.

Conclusion: The future of fresh transport is sustainable

Transporting fresh produce doesn't always require heavy investments in active refrigerated logistics. For online grocery shopping and last-mile delivery, passive cooling combined with high-performance insulated packaging is the most suitable, economical, and flexible solution.

The era of polystyrene is coming to an end. Businesses that continue to ship their products in EPS risk a tarnished brand image in the eyes of increasingly demanding consumers on environmental issues. Conversely, companies that adopt solutions like Paperfloc transform a logistical constraint into a competitive advantage, combining thermal performance with ecological responsibility.

The future belongs to sustainable packaging that protects both your products and the planet. By choosing recycled cellulose insulation, you secure your shipments while showcasing your CSR commitment to your customers.