The Cold Chain – PVC Strip Controls Your Environment Every Step Of The Way

A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain. An unbroken cold chain is an uninterrupted series of storage and distribution activities which maintain a given temperature range. It is used to help extend and ensure the shelf life of products such as fresh agricultural produce, seafood, frozen food, photographic film, chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs. Such products, during transport, are called cool cargo.

PVC strip are an essential part of the cold chain: Manufacturing > Storage > Distribution > Stores

Guide to choosing the correct PVC grade in the Cold Chain:
Rayflex standard grade: operates well between +50°c and -15°c
Rayflex Low temperature grade: operates well between +30°c and -25°C
Rayflex Super Polar grade: operates well between +15°c and -60°C

Manufacturing: Food preservation processes in relation to fridges (+0°c), freezers (down to -12°c) and deep freezers (down to -45°c) require the use of PVC strip. Doors simply cannot be left open in these environments as air loss can mean the food stuff is compromised. The curtains return rapidly to their original position and massively reduce the air loss in these environments. The doors can remain open whilst people enter and exit because the PVC strips create a temporary barrier.

Storage: Depending on the food stuffs being stored the cold chain must be constantly aware of best before dates, ripening processes and the temperature at which consumables must be stored. Most large facilities will have their own cold storage facilities and regulations will state the food items must be kept at a constant temperature within agreeable tolerances. PVC strips are used in every cold store environment to maintain the tolerances.

Distribution / Logisitics: Transport in the cold chain is highly regulated and specialist, refrigerated vehicles are deployed in order to ensure that the goods leave the storage facility and arrival at the destination point in the same state. PVC strip not only help to maintain the temperature in the vehicles, but also ensure cross contamination en route isn’t causes by fumes, pollutions, debris or vermin / insects.

Commercial and retail stores and preparation points: The last point in the cold chain before the goods are seen and purchased by the customer. PVC strips are installed in these environments because the retailer must ensure that their products are presented to the customer in accordance with strict regulations and that the goods are turnover in line with sell by dates and that the goods must be fresh and good to sell.