Frequently asked questions

What types and sizes of insulated plastic bulk containers do you produce?

We sell two types of insulated plastic bulk containers (heavy-duty and high-insulated) in 11 sizes with net capacities ranging from 260 to 1.250 liters.
The high-insulated type is available in all sizes, but the heavy-duty type is available in five sizes. For specifications, see the Insulated pallet containers’ page.
Sizes 400, 450, 600 and 700 fulfill the requirements of the ISO 6780 international transportation standard. They are available as heavy-duty and high-insulated types, except size 450, which is only available in the high-insulated type.

What is ISO 6780?

What’s the difference between PUR-insulated (high-insulated) and PE-insulated (heavy-duty) plastic bulk containers?

PUR plastic bulk containers are insulated with Polyurethane, which has high insulation. The coefficient of thermal conduction for PUR properties is λ 0.023 W/mK. Plastic bulk containers insulated with Polyethylene (PE) foam are recyclable, but their insulation properties are around 70% lower than those of comparable PUR insulated pallet containers. PE-insulated plastic bulk containers are much heavier-duty than PUR insulated pallet containers, and their net weight is 25-30% greater.

Where are Heavy Duty Plastic Bulk Containers used most?

Heavy-duty (PE-insulated) plastic bulk containers are recyclable since they are homogeneous. They are used where they are required. They are also used where there is little or no requirement for insulation. In this regard, shipments of meat in reefer trucks and products not requiring maintenance of an even temperature in the pallet container may be mentioned. They are also used to hold contents for cooling in reefers or other cooled spaces.
A common use of the heavy-duty type is when the contents are unusually heavy, and great carrying capacity is required. They are then a very good option, for example, in the processing of salt fish or meat. On the other hand, their own weight is great, and they are therefore not a good choice when the pallet container must be moved manually.
The heavy-duty plastic bulk containers were originally designed in co-operation and consultation with the Danish Meat Research Institute in Roskilde, Denmark, to use in transporting and processing meat, especially Danish pork.

Where are high-insulated plastic bulk containers especially used?

High-insulated plastic bulk containers are especially used where insulation is required, and it is necessary to keep the contents of the pallet container at a constant temperature. The containers’ polyurethane (PUR) insulation is regarded as highly effective. Since two materials are combined, that is, Polyethylene in the walls and bottoms of the plastic bulk container and PUR as the insulation, the container is not considered recyclable under the current definition and technology of recycling. The high-insulated type is much lighter and is therefore easier to handle than the PE-insulated (heavy-duty) plastic bulk containers. They are deemed to have less carrying capacity than PE-insulated containers. The high-insulated type is therefore a very good option for fresh fish or other products stored in ice when no reefer or freezing equipment is available. High insulated containers are used in cheese production where they maintain their content at even temperature.

Are all insulated plastic bulk containers recyclable?

No, only PE-insulated heavy-duty (HD) plastic bulk containers are recyclable. Pallet containers with Polyurethane (PUR) insulation, high-insulated pallet containers, cannot be recycled using current technology.

What colors are available?

Beige is commonest, and pallet containers in this color are kept in stock. Yellow, orange, grey and blue are available at no extra charge if a minimum of 40 is ordered. Other colors are also possible.

What types of labeling are available?

We offer three types of labeling: milling, “Mould-in Graphics” (MIG) and silk-screen printing. Milling is the most common, economical and permanent, and involves milling 2-mm-deep letters and/or digits into the side of the pallet container. MIG is a more complex and expensive method, which entails possibilities for using more than one color and is well suited for detailed logo printing. Silk-screen is in monochrome and enables massive surfaces to be printed, for example with logos, but it does not last as well as MIG.

Are the lids tight?

Lids are not watertight. However, they still protect the contents of the pallet container against external impact and are fastened with strong rubber bands which are UV protected.

Do the same drainage outlet plugs fit all the pallet containers? 

Yes, 50 mm (2″) plastic plugs fit all the plastic bulk containers. Plastic bulk containers without a drainage hole are obtainable.

Are the plastic bulk containers available without a drainage hole?

Yes, but they are not kept in stock.

How high can insulated plastic bulk containers be stacked when filled?

New or newly plastic bulk containers can be stacked up to 3 to 4 pcs. high (loaded with water or similar). When they get older should the staff, who work with them, evaluate the conditions of the containers every time and take care of not to overstrain them for security reasons.

Can insulated plastic bulk containers withstand freezing?

Yes, insulated pallet containers withstand freezing and are used in cold environments, but it should be borne in mind that they become more brittle at low temperatures and need to be handled with suitable care. Plastic pallets and insulated plastic bulk containers should not be used in temperatures below -30° C. It is not advisable under any circumstances to use plastic pallet containers to freeze liquids or food containing liquid. Expansion due to freezing involves permanent damage inside plastic bulk containers.  Goods which expand on freezing should not be frozen in the plastic bulk containers due to the risk of inside structural damage. Frozen pieces should never be thrown into the plastic bulk containers. Care should be taken when the plastic bulk containers are moved by forklift trucks in freezer stores.

What is the service life of insulated plastic bulk containers?

A container’s service life depends very much on how it is treated and maintained, but as a rule of thumb, the average is 6-8 years with careful handling. The design and structure of Borgarplast plastic bulk containers result in by far the lowest maintenance costs among manufacturers of insulated plastic bulk containers, according to many major users.

When should fish be iced?

Always as quickly as possible after fish are taken aboard

What is the optimal freshwater ice/fish ratio in insulated plastic bulk containers?

For cooling fish, the general rule is that about 0.0125 kg of freshwater ice is required to cool 1 kg of fish 1° C.
The most appropriate method is to cool the fish to a temperature of +1 to +2 º C. To maintain +1 to +2º C, a certain quantity of ice is required, determined, among other things, by the environmental temperature where the pallet container is stored each time. If, for example, the ship’s hold is cooled to +5° C, relatively little additional ice is required. On the other hand, if the environmental temperature is +25º C, much more ice is required to maintain cooling. 
The thickness of insulation varies in pallet containers depending on their size; it also matters whether the plastic bulk containers are insulated with Polyurethane (PUR) or Polyethylene (PE), in addition to several other factors. Heavy-duty (PE-insulated) pallet containers insulate only about 1/3 as well as comparable insulation thickness with PUR.
Ice mixed with seawater (or salt) or Fluid Ice (slurry ice, liquid ice, etc.) has a greater and faster cooling capacity.
The cooling medium must not freeze the fish, which is considered to affect quality negatively.