Frequently Asked Questions

What is...?

What is ISTA7D?

ISTA7D is a Temperature Test for Transport Packaging and devised by ISTA – International Safe Transit Association. The 7D testing procedure covers the thermal performance testing of packaged products, evaluating the effect of external temperature exposure has on the packaging and the product. The standard can be used for the development of temperature-controlled transport packages made of any material as well as being used for individual or comparative performance analysis of standard or insulated transport packages against normally encountered conditions, such as heat or cold.

What is CoolGuard?

CoolGuard™ is our range of high-performance single-use parcel shipping systems with phase change materials and vacuum insulated panels (Advance models only). The shipper is designed and tested to ensure maximum protection of valuable payload through use of standardised components with simple, error-free assembly. Volumes 4L – 96L, Temperature ranges -20M (Advance only), +2C to +8C, +15C to +25C

What is CoolPall?

CoolPall is our range of high-performance, pallet based, single-use bulk shipping systems. Comprising CoolPall Flex , with volumes of –150L to 757L and CoolPall Vertos, our largest product, with volumes of 1382L to 3175L. Both systems are designed to be flat packed for ease of delivery and comprise of lightweight, modular components for quick, accurate assembly.

What is Credo on Demand?

Our Globally available, high performance, cost effective cold chain shipping rental program using passive cold chain containers – Credo™ Xtreme (half stack –372 L, full stack – 807L) and Credo™ Cargo (pallet accepting, 1686L). Flexible daily and monthly rental rates are standard when picked up from and dropped off at Peli BioThermal locations worldwide. Systems can be supplied preconditioned. Other rental terms are available.

What is Credo on Reserve?

Credo on Reserve Is our cold chain shipping rental program offering a dedicated inventory for longer periods, usually two years or more, while paying for a minimum number of trips during that period and a fixed rate for each trip beyond that minimum. Service fees for refurbishment and repair are included for the duration of the term.

What is Dry Ice?

Dry Ice is a coolant used for frozen / deep frozen applications, along with an insulated container. Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (CO₂). It has the unusual property of 'sublimation', going from a solid to a gas without passing through a liquid phase, hence the name dry ice. The product can only exist at -79C and it maintains this temperature by sublimation. Dry Ice is available in pellet or block forms, and requires specialist handling due to the extremely low temperatures attained. We offer Dry Ice versions of our Sherpa or NanoCool Universal products.

What is Phase Change Material (PCM)?

A phase change material is a substance which releases/absorbs sufficient energy at phase transition to provide useful heat/cooling. Generally the transition will be from one of the first two fundamental states of matter - solid and liquid - to the other. For temperature controlled shipping applications, this means that PCMs can be used for Industry standard temperature ranges, such as -20M, +2C to +8C, +15C to 25C for example. PCMs give reliable, consistent performance and combined with high performance insulation, can give durations in excess of 120 hours. PCMs commonly found in bottle, TIC (Thermal Insulation Chamber) or encapsulated foam BRIC form.

Recycling

Can your products be recycled?

All of our products have a high degree of recyclability and key components can be recycled in standard waste streams (subject to local regulations and availability)

Please see further, component specific information in FAQ's, Recycling

Can I recycle cardboard cartons?

Corrugated Cardboard Components

Outer Carton, Inner Carton, Moisture Resistant Panels, typically found in Sherpa, CoolGuard and DeepFreeze products. These components can be recycled as standard Cardboard, subject to local laws and conditions.

Can I recycle expanded polystyrene (EPS) components?

Typically these components are manufactured from EPS - CoolGuard Advance and PCM,  Shipper Base and Lid. EPS is easily and can be recycled in a number of ways:

  • Regrinding – EPS is ground down by a rotating cutter
  • Compacted and sold on to be manufactured into a new product
  • Remoulded into new polystyrene products

Subject to availability of local recycling centres, local laws and regulations

Can I recycle Vacumm Insulation Panels (VIPs)?

VIPs are constructed from two main components, Barrier Film and the Core. The Barrier Film is a PET laminate, with a tiny amount of aluminium deposit. The Core contains fumed amorphous silica and carbon black. Disposing of an expired VIP can be done via normal “Dry, Mixed Waste”, and it is recommended that the VIPs are NOT cut open.

Subject to local laws and regulations

Can I recycle PCM Brics?

PCM BRICS are an organic oil-based phase change material, similar to mineral oil, held within phenolic foam and encapsulated in a plastic film. All PCM BRICS are made of high quality, non-toxic materials but are not for human consumption.

Our extensive range of reusable products are constructed to ensure a long life and a high degree of durability. Please refer to individual User Guides or contact your local Peli BioThermal Sales office for further information with regard to disposal and recycling.

Products

Can I buy your products online?

We do not offer the ability to purchase online at the moment. Although our products are built from standard components, most are supplied with an element of customisation to ensure they meet the exacting demands set by the customer, therefore it’s important to be able to discuss specific requirements with our sales teams before purchase to ensure the performance criteria required are matched as closely as possible.

How does NanoCool differ from your other products?

NanoCool features innovative push button activation, meaning conventional pre-conditioning, using refrigeration, is not necessary. The system uses evaporative cooling technology along with phase change materials (PCM) and advanced insulation VIPs for an easy-to-activate shipping system which is ideal for low-volume shipping or for applications where refrigeration is not available.

NanoCool Products

What is the NanoCool cooling technology?

With this on-demand evaporative cooling technology, a small amount of water at low pressure evaporates over days of operation, giving seven times the cooling power of melting ice. NanoCool’s active cooling process adjusts to variations in ambient temperature in a way that conventional cooling systems cannot.

How are the NanoCool systems activated?

Open the system, remove the cooling engine and place silver foil side down on a clean, hard, flat surface. With your thumb, push straight down on the button. Between 30 seconds and 3 minutes the NanoCool logo turns blue, indicating the cooling has begun. Load product in the chamber, replace cooling engine snugly, close the container and tape it shut.

How can I tell whether the NanoCool system has been activated?

Depending on the ambient temperature, the NanoCool logo should turn blue between 30 seconds and 3 minutes after activation. The blue indicates that the cooling action has begun which can be confirmed by touching the surface of the cooler near the button. Storage of the NanoCool in a cold environment (below 15°C/59°F) can cause the NanoCool logo to turn blue before activation. Placing NanoCool in a room temperature environment (21°C/70°C) for 15 minutes will reverse the color (make the label clear again).

How long does it take the NanoCool system to cool down to a refrigerated temperature?

The cooling plate of the NanoCool system will cool from ambient to 5ºC in five minutes. 

How should the NanoCool system be packed?

If adding a temperature monitor, keep it as near to your product as possible. Do not allow it to touch the cooling engine and avoid placing it in the corners. Remember that, depending on the packout, product and monitor can move during shipment.

As with all cooling elements, there can be some modest condensation on the cooling engine. If product protection against condensation is desired, two common approaches are to place your product into a plastic bag or place absorbent material on top of your product.

How long will the NanoCool system cool my product?

It depends on which system you have. System durations range from 48 to 96 hours. Please see brochures for Universal Systems and Cooling Systems.

Are NanoCool systems pre-qualified?

Each size and type of NanoCool system has been tested to demonstrate its thermal performance and durability. Qualification reports are available upon request.

What is the NanoCool 2-8ºC universal system?

These systems protect against heat like other NanoCool cooling systems while also providing superior protection against cold weather. They are designed for all season use.

What is the useful life of the NanoCool system?

NanoCool systems have a two year expiry from date of manufacture. The expiry date can be found on the outside front panel of the outer carton of the system.

Is the NanoCool system reusable?

The cooling engine can be used only once.

NanoCool Universal Systems are designed for single-use shipments. However, the insulation box of the Universal System can be used up to three times (the initial use and then two reuses) provided that the boxes are re-inspected and reconditioned properly. To recondition the insulation box of the Universal System, remove the used cooling engine and store at 22°C or above for 72 hours.

The insulation box of Cooling Systems can be reused four times within its two year expiry date. Replacement cooling lids can be ordered separately.

How do you dispose of the NanoCool system?

All components of the NanoCool system are made from benign materials that have no extraordinary disposal rating. Dispose of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. For more details about the components, including SDS information, please request a Product Data Sheet.

Are there any special storage requirements for NanoCool systems?

Because there are no gel packs, and no need to refrigerate or freeze anything, NanoCool packaging can be stored at normal warehouse temperatures.