Fruit juices and nectars contain organic materials that are sensitive to environmental conditions. A fantastic way to solve this problem is to use eco-friendly thermal packaging, such as isothermal insulators for containers, palletized products, and boxes (box liners).

Temperature in transporting juice

Fruit juices are temperature sensitive. The Maillard reaction causes fruit to brown due to the chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars and this, together with other degradations, occurs slowly at an ambient temperature (20 to 25ºC) but significantly accelerates at above 30ºC causing undesirable changes to the organoleptic properties.

Another problem caused by high temperatures is the sensitivity certain vitamins have to heat, such as vitamins A, C, B-1, B-2 and folic acid, which can become lost or destroyed at high temperatures.

Relative humidity in juice transportation

Excessive relative humidity in the environment can lead to the proliferation of spoiling micro-organisms such as mould or yeasts which would affect the goods.

Types of containers for transporting juice

Fruit juice can mainly be transported in the form of either frozen juice concentrate or not-from-concentrate juice.

Frozen concentrate juice is transported in bulk in large quantities. As it is 5 to 6 times less in volume than not-from-concentrate, bulk transport is more profitable. Not-from-concentrate juice can be transported either in bulk or in containers ready for consumption.

Not-from-concentrate juice in bulk can be transported at controlled temperatures in flexitanks.

Not-from-concentrate transportation in containers ready for consumption would only be recommended for short journeys (less time exposed to environmental conditions) or with low volumes. To thermally protect packaged juices, we can use the following:

• Isothermal cargo covers for containers This is suitable in the event of long distances where loads are transported in containers or in bulk in a flexitank
• Isothermal insulators for palletized products. Suitable for both long and short distances.

Our isothermal solutions for transporting juice

To maintain stable temperature, humidity and solar radiation levels in bulk transportation of non-frozen juices in containers for consumption, we can offer the following solutions:

• Embatuff thermal liner. Isothermal blanket for all DRY VAN container sizes. This can be used in combination with flexitank.
• Embacover. Isothermal insulation for palletized products. For journeys of more than 24 hours, we recommend including cold packs inside the pallet cover. The cold packs always stay dry, thus helping to maintain low temperatures without changing relative humidity conditions.

If you would like more information on the packing and transportation of juices and nectars, please contact our experts for advice on the best solution.