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Difference between Normal Dry Container and Insulated Containers| LOTUS Containers

We have been sharing a strong camaraderie with the containers since its invention in 1965.

And ever since that, they have been a helping hand of humans in serving multiple purposes.

Be it shipping (domestic or international), storing goods, or building materials. They have endless applications. From the last few decades, the container industry has evolved to optimum, presenting a wide range of shipping & storage containers capable of transporting all types of goods with utmost ease and efficiency.

Dry van, Pallet wide, side doors, double doors, open-top, reefers, bulkers, platforms, flat rack are some of the examples that have simplified the storage & transportation of all sorts of cargoes over long distances.

In general, each of the closed container types is divided into two categories-normally dry and insulated containers.

There is a notable difference between a standard container and an insulated one. Normal steel boxes are very useful when used in the transportation of consumer goods that do not require special conditions.

While insulated packaging in insulated containers enables maintain the temperature within acceptable ranges and limit down the deterioration rates in the distribution environment until it makes it to the port of destination. In addition to high resistance to the transfer of heat, the box must be insulated from a good insulating material possessing various characters depending upon the application.

Distribution and marketing of temperature-sensitive goods can be achieved in three different ways- namely the one-way system, two-way system, and carrier controlled thermal chain.

One way system provides advantages of rapid package design and validation using various insulated shipping boxes and phase change materials.

The two-way system is a kind of the third category of solution that gives way for the shipment and distribution of temperature-sensitive products. Reusable shipping containers, which fall in this category, typically have an impact-resistant exterior and offer improved temperature control in comparison to normal shipping boxes.

Carrier controlled chains provide refrigerated containers aka reefers for the transportation of goods over long distances. This is because insulated containers do not heat or cool themselves but they can retain the temperature of the goods for a specific length of time.

While reefers are fitted with electronic refrigeration units that help them to retain temperature for long. Therefore, for longer distances, reefers are preferred more over insulated containers.

Which to choose?

Various factors count while choosing a distribution system- payloads, transit time, customer budget, demand, temperature sensitivity towards temperature.

But still, the one-way system is the most preferable because of their ease of application.

Since insulated containers are insulated combining different kinds of material to maintain the freshness and safety of the cargoes.

Let’s take a look at how both of these offer a tremendous benefit for different types of cargoes.

Steel containers are used for the shipment of a wide variety of goods such as textiles, automobiles, mobile phones, etc. these are made up of high-quality corrugated steel to resist extreme weather from outside. They provide wide space for the storage of a large volume of cargoes. Although it can be used for the shipment for almost all types of cargoes, it is restricted to products that are unaffected from the changing temperature.

They cannot maintain a stable internal temperature. The outer body comes into contact with the external climate which ultimately impacts the internal environment. If you’re

shipping perishable items let say fruit via a dry van container from India to China, you cannot expect your cargo to be in the same condition when it was packed before shipment.

Temperature-sensitive products like fruits, vegetables, pharmaceuticals, blood, organ find difficult to be transported through these steel boxes.

For such products, insulated containers work like wonder. They are insulated from inside to maintain a more consistent internal temperature without damaging the goods. No matter what the temperature outside is, it always maintains a constant temperature throughout the entire transition. Thus, you can be set free by shipping such goods in an insulated container as it does not let goods exposed to changing climate.

Prohibits Condensation: Steel containers are often doubted to develop dents and holes during the transition because of their constant exposure to the harsh climate. Rainwater easily makes its way to the interior via these leakages and holes. The essence of water then condensed when it comes in contact with humid weather inside and thus damages your stored goods, rotting wood, and cardboard, damaging electronics, provide a breeding ground for mould and other bacteria, and wrecking all sorts of havoc. A normal shipping container when insulated properly using proper insulating material prevents rainwater from getting in and also omits the chance of condensation. An insulated box maintains temperature for longer, making them viable for shipment and storage both.

Better for long term Storage: Insulated containers are not only perfect for shipment but are high in demand for storage purposes also. Unlike steel boxes, they are not easily prone to wear and tear or rust, leakage, etc. Since they provide consistent internal temperature, your goods are no more at the risk of damage or spoilage and hence they are widely being used by the warehouse, inventories, or stock canters for storing goods for long.

At LOTUS Containers, we have been offering you high quality insulated containers and reefers that will help you in the process of storing and shipping goods in a protected manner. Contact us and know from our expert as of which container suits your cargo type best. Our years of experience in the container industry have made us veterans in simplifying our customer’s needs.