The following analysis provides a general overview of the benefit potential of Aerogel VIP Technology verses traditional thermal packaging alternatives.

In a recent case study we compared an Aerogel VIP Solution to a traditional, Foam-In-Place Box Shipping Container. The results were so significant that it will help end-users to redefine the way they market their products.

Using a traditional, Foam-In-Place Box Shipping Container, the payload is bundled in a small inner box (7" x 4" x 2"). The entire inner perimeter of the outer shipping container (20" x 20" x 16") is filled by the supplier with 3" of foam-in-place polyurethane. With approximately 18 pounds of dry ice distributed around the payload, the effective use time is at most 50 hours.

For product that must ship at dry ice temperature (-65^oC), the accepted industry reject standard is about 30% of all shipments. For high dollar product, this level scrap rate has a significant impact on the profits.

Using an Aerogel VIP Solution resulted in the use of a much smaller outside box (11" x 13" x 14").  The amount of dry ice was reduced to approximately 8.5 pounds.  The effective use time was increased to over 120 hours. This amounts to more than double the use time, with less than half the cooling power.

The implications for the end-user are considerable:

• The cost of dry ice has been reduced by more than 50%.
• The cost of corrugated was reduced by over 60%.
• The complete package size is now less than the dimensional weighting standards for expedited shipping, reducing shipping costs by as much as 40%.
• And, for the first time, product that does not get used, can be returned safely.

The savings from scrap reduction, alone, is so substantial that it more than justifies the cost difference for the Aerogel VIP Solution.