Preparing for Protect-from-Freeze Shipping Season: Why It’s Crucial to Safeguard Your Freight

Protect from freeze season, which most identify as the end of October through April, is here.  Industries reliant on temperature-sensitive products must prioritize protect-from-freeze shipping to prevent costly damages.  This season is particularly crucial for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and chemicals, where exposure to freezing temperatures can compromise product integrity.

1. Pharmaceuticals

Medications, vaccines, and biologics are particularly vulnerable to temperature fluctuations.  Freezing can destroy the molecular structure of vaccines, alter the composition of liquid medications, and degrade the efficacy of biologic treatments.  For example, insulin and other injectable drugs must be kept within a strict temperature range to remain effective. Freezing temperatures can cause these products to crystallize or lose potency, leading to ineffective treatments and potential health risks for patients.

2. Food and Beverage

Frozen food is common, but certain perishable items should never be exposed to freezing temperatures.  Fresh produce, dairy products, wine, and beverages can spoil or suffer irreparable texture and quality changes if frozen.  Dairy products, for instance, can separate or curdle when frozen, making them unfit for sale.  Frozen beverages can expand and burst containers, leading to contamination or spoilage.  For wine producers, freezing temperatures can destroy the delicate balance of flavors, compromising the product's taste and quality.

3. Chemicals and Industrial Products

Many chemicals and industrial products, such as certain adhesives, paints, and solvents, are sensitive to freezing temperatures.  When exposed to the cold, these products can undergo chemical changes that alter their properties.  Some paints, for example, will separate or clump when frozen, rendering them unusable.  Chemical freezing can also cause safety hazards, such as leaks or bursts in packaging.  Companies using sensitive chemical compounds rely heavily on temperature-controlled shipping to ensure their products remain stable and effective.

4. Cosmetics and Personal Care

Many beauty and skincare products contain oils, emulsifiers, and active ingredients that can be affected by freezing temperatures.  These products, such as lotions, creams, and serums, can separate or lose their effectiveness if exposed to freezing conditions.  This can alter their consistency and lead to customer dissatisfaction or even product returns.  Companies shipping temperature-sensitive cosmetics must ensure the integrity of their goods to avoid damaging their reputation.

5. Electronics

Certain electronic components and batteries are also sensitive to extreme temperatures.  If electronics freeze, the materials can become brittle or fail altogether, leading to malfunction or complete failure upon thawing.  For instance, batteries may lose their charge or become damaged, while delicate circuit boards can suffer irreparable harm.  As a result, high-value electronics require protect-from-freeze shipping to avoid damage during transportation.

6. Agriculture and Seeds

Seed companies and agricultural businesses must also protect their products from freezing temperatures.  Many seeds, especially those used for planting crops, can be rendered ineffective if frozen, as the freezing process damages their ability to germinate.  For industries reliant on seed production, the failure of crops due to damaged seeds could result in devastating economic losses.

The consequences of not protecting freight from freezing temperatures are severe: financial losses from damaged products, compromised safety, and reputational harm.  Road Scholar Transport offers high-security, temperature-controlled shipping solutions to help mitigate these risks.  Our expedited shipping services ensure that sensitive goods, such as pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals, are transported safely and arrive in perfect condition, no matter the season.

Here’s how Road Scholar Transport can help:

·       We do NOT use blankets to sustain temperature conditions.  Our trailers can be set as low as -22°F to as high as 89°F, providing protect from freezing, frozen, refrigerated, and heated service. 

·       Our reefers are embedded with technology that tracks the temperature within and alerts our team in the event of a temperature fluctuation so that we can rectify the situation prior to the product losing its integrity.

·       Unlike many of our regional competitors who will not pick up protect from freezing shipments on a Friday because they do not want to be responsible for protecting it throughout the weekend, we have a protect from freezing policy that allows us to pick up and deliver five days a week. 

·       We provide expedited service for those shipments that need to be there FAST. 

·       We provide our customers with the tools to track their shipment live throughout the entire transportation process and can provide a complete record of the temperature within the trailer at any given time, even months after delivery.

To learn more, visit our temperature control page.


 

 

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