Thermally-responsive packaging

Cradling wares to market

How do bananas from South America and oranges from California get to your supermarket in prime condition? How do New Zealand exporters get shellfish and asparagus to Japan without it spoiling? Temperature-controlled freighting.

Dry ice and water are used much in the same way as an ice block in a chilly bin – keeping the products at a cool, even temperature as they pass through various climates.

But there could be a more effective way. The new product Nano- structured Calcium Silicate (NCS/PCM composite) provides a phase change material that can work at a variety of temperatures and does not require expensive containment.

While ice can only be used to keep a shipment at zero degrees, which is not optimum for many perishable foods such as seafood, the new technology can function at a much wider range of temperatures.

A patent has been issued for this application of NCS.