The Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (CPULD) at Virginia Tech is excited to introduce its new Cold Chain Packaging Lab, a facility dedicated to advancing the technology and science behind the secure transport of temperature-sensitive products. As industries increasingly rely on maintaining specific temperature ranges during transit, this lab stands at the forefront of innovation. Whether the cargo includes perishable foods, life-saving pharmaceuticals, or other temperature-critical goods, the Cold Chain Packaging Lab offers a comprehensive range of services designed to ensure that products remain within their ideal temperature conditions from the point of origin to the final destination.

Companies engaged in cold chain logistics face numerous challenges, from packaging design to environmental considerations during shipping. The Cold Chain Packaging Lab addresses these complexities by providing research, consulting, and contract testing services. The facility is equipped with the latest sensors and analytical tools, making it possible to evaluate packaging systems with a high degree of precision. In addition, the lab’s experienced faculty collaborate closely with industry partners to develop innovative and sustainable cold chain solutions tailored to their specific needs. By working with this lab, companies can benefit from expert guidance on everything from selecting the ideal thermal materials to optimizing container designs for different distribution channels, all while ensuring efficiency and reducing costs.

The lab’s focus is not only on solving today’s cold chain challenges but also on accelerating the industry’s move toward more sustainable practices. With climate change and environmental concerns driving demand for eco-efficient solutions, the Cold Chain Packaging Lab is equipped to help companies transition to more sustainable materials and methods, without compromising product integrity or safety. As sustainability becomes a growing priority for many industries, the Cold Chain Packaging Lab is positioned to help companies reduce their environmental footprint. 

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Image 2. Cold Chain temperature sensor.
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Image 2. Abid Hassan, CPULD graduate student, placing cold chain package into small chamber.

Cold Chain Lab Capabilities and Standards:

  • Thermal Material Evaluation: Using advanced equipment like heat flow meters and differential scanning calorimetry, the lab can assess the thermal properties of packaging materials and refrigerants.
  • Prototyping & Testing: The lab offers prototyping and comprehensive testing for insulated shipping containers, ensuring they meet industry standards.
  • Custom Solutions: Companies can collaborate with the lab to design custom thermal shipping solutions tailored to their specific needs.
  • Thermal Modeling & Lane Assessment: The lab uses sophisticated modeling techniques to predict how materials will behave in different environmental conditions, including assessments along specific shipping routes.
  • Field Data Collection: The lab can gather real-world data on shock, vibration, temperature, and humidity to simulate and improve packaging performance.

The Cold Chain Packaging Lab has the capabilities to conduct testing following well-recognized industry standards, ensuring that the results meet the highest global benchmarks for thermal transport packaging. These are critical to validating the performance and reliability of packaging systems used in cold chain logistics.

  • ASTM D3103-20: This standard outlines the test methods for evaluating the thermal insulation performance of distribution packages. It provides essential guidelines for determining how well a packaging system can maintain a product’s required temperature range during transit.
  • ASTM D4332: This standard focuses on conditioning containers, packages, or packaging components before testing. It ensures that packaging materials are exposed to specific environmental conditions, of temperature and humidity, that simulate real-world scenarios during shipping and handling.
  • ISTA 7D: This standard is used for temperature testing of transport packaging, specifically focusing on how packaging performs under various temperature profiles during transit. This is critical for determining whether a package can maintain the required thermal protection across different stages of shipping, particularly when products are exposed to fluctuating temperatures.
  • ISTA 7E: This is a testing standard for thermal transport packaging used in parcel delivery systems, to help evaluate how packaging performs in more complex distribution networks.

By adhering to international standards, the Cold Chain Packaging Lab ensures that its research, prototyping, and testing services are not only comprehensive but also compliant with the global requirements. This level of compliance is crucial for companies looking to meet regulatory demands and achieve reliable and efficient packaging solutions for cold chain logistics.

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Image 4. Hiral Makwana, CPULD graduate student, taking a sensor reading from a package in the large environmental chamber.
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Image 5. Abid Hassan, CPULD graduate student, packaging a cold chain box with sensors for research.

A core mission of CPULD is to provide hands-on education to students in the packaging program at Virginia Tech. The Cold Chain Packaging Lab will play a critical role in fulfilling this mission, offering unique opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage directly with real-world industry projects. This immersive experience equips students with invaluable skills and knowledge that extend far beyond the classroom, preparing them for successful careers in the packaging industry.

In the Cold Chain Packaging Lab, students learn to operate advanced testing equipment, gaining firsthand experience with the same tools and technologies used by industry professionals. This practical training covers a wide range of equipment, from thermal sensors to mechanical testing apparatus, ensuring students are well-versed in both the technical and operational aspects of packaging testing. This foundational knowledge is essential for anyone entering the packaging field.

In addition to technical proficiency, students in the lab also gain leadership and project management experience. Many of the projects involve collaboration, with faculty and industry clients, offering students the opportunity to manage tasks, meet deadlines, and coordinate efforts within a team. These opportunities are critical in shaping students into well-rounded professionals prepared to take on roles in management, research, and design within the packaging industry. By the time they graduate, students who have participated in the lab are equipped with technical expertise and management skills that are essential for success in today’s competitive packaging industry.

In today’s increasingly complex cold chain logistics environment, companies face significant challenges in ensuring the safe and efficient transport of temperature-sensitive products. The new Cold Chain Packaging Lab is uniquely positioned to meet these challenges, offering cutting-edge technology, expert faculty, and comprehensive testing services that are tailored to the specific needs of each client. With its state-of-the-art equipment and adherence to globally recognized standards, the lab guarantees accurate, reliable results that help companies optimize their packaging systems for real-world conditions.

For companies looking to improve their cold chain packaging systems, enhance product safety, and stay ahead in a competitive market, CPULD’s Cold Chain Packaging Lab offers the expertise, resources, and dedication needed to ensure success at every stage of the cold chain distribution process.

For more information about the services offered at CPULD's new Cold Chain Lab, please contact Dr. Eduardo Molina at molina@vt.edu.