Panel Systems helps refrigerated trailer owners cut costs
Panelling materials manufacturer Panel Systems has highlighted the CO2 emissions and cost benefits of its Ravatherm XPS X RTM Plus product when deployed in transport applications, including for HGV trailers.
The company manufactures and supplies Ravatherm XPS panel cores for the walls, roofs and floors of refrigerated vehicles. With food transport, including refrigeration, thought to be responsible for almost two per cent of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, manufacturers are facing challenges when it comes to reducing their environmental impact and making cost savings, it says.
The use of lightweight, thermally efficient panels, both in the design and manufacture of new refrigerated vehicles and retrofitted to existing vehicles, is a popular method of achieving significant cost savings, Panel Systems adds.
The Ravatherm XPS product (formerly known as Styrofoam RTM) is commonly used in panel cores thanks to its highly insulating and lightweight properties, which are said to make it ideal for cooling.
A spokesperson for Panel Systems said: “The use of Ravatherm XPS can offer significant weight savings. Reductions in weight not only help to reduce CO2 emissions, companies also benefit from significant cost reductions.”
The higher thermal efficiency provided by lightweight materials helps to maintain the interior temperature of the cargo hold for much longer, says the company, resulting in fewer spoiled and wasted products and further cost savings.
The spokesperson added: “When it comes to Ravatherm XPS panel cores for refrigerated vehicles it offers both weight savings and an insulating core which saves on keeping the vehicle cool and in the fuel savings from the vehicles being out on the road.
“In addition, making weight savings within the vehicle means additional goods can be carried.
“Many refrigerated vehicles are using lightweight panel cores but there are also components within the vehicle body made from heavier materials such as metal and timber, which can be replaced with modern, innovative lightweight materials.”
The performance of Ravatherm XPS provides long term thermal insulation, says Panel Systems, allowing vehicles to remain effective and pass regulations for far longer, preventing businesses from having to replace vehicles as often and saving on the cost of regular fleet replacement.
