Nov. 13, 2008 - Coldpack, a maker of insulated packaging, has unveiled an inflatable, insulating cooler liner that the company says requires half the raw materials, water, and energy to produce compared to an equivalent styrofoam container.

Designed for shipping temperature-sensitive items from pharmaceuticals to food, the new AirLiner is essentially a flat pillow made of a reflective barrier film that blocks heat transfer. The insulating liner can turn any corrugated box into a cooler, according to Coldpack.

Since it is inflatable, the AirLiner also requires less space to store, which can reduce supply chain costs and climate emissions from product transport, Coldpack says.

"Business owners, especially those shipping perishables, do not take for granted the effect of foam packing on their corporate image and their revenue streams yet, until AirLiner, a cost-effective green alternative to foam has been elusive," explains Coldpack CEO, Etienne P. Snollaerts. "We believe that our products will make a difference in the world by addressing environmental challenges and reducing the carbon footprint of our customers."

Shippers use an estimated 20 billion cubic feet of styrofoam for product transport each year, according to Coldpack. The company is touting AirLiner's compact design as another environmental plus because it takes up less space in landfill (the product is not recyclable, however).

Suppliers are quickly realizing the value of leaner packaging in attracting and retaining customers. According to a recent survey, just over a third of retailers say resource-efficient package design will be the most important ethical packaging innovation over the next five years.