Resulting from a joint effort between Cargolux Airlines International S.A (Cargolux) and DuPont de Nemours (Luxembourg) s.àr.l. (DuPont), the Tyvek^® Air Cargo Cover represents an innovative breakthrough for the transportation of temperature sensitive air cargo.

The blanket made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) creates a unique balance of properties that are ideal for protecting sensitive cargo from extreme temperature variations. As it is porous it allows gases and water vapor to escape.

Air Cargo Covers protect temperature sensitive goods against sunlight, temperature variations, rain and theft with pest or contamination control (liquids, dust, pollens, insects, bird droppings etc.) as an additional benefit.

Hippolyte Bruwier, a member of Cargolux’s dedicated KeepCool team observes: “This Air Cargo Cover was for me the most surprising outcome of a project intended to improve the efficient protection of perishables in pharmaceutical cargo, in many years of activity on the cool chain”.

The Cargolux Keepcool team has been testing the blanket in stations where temperature sensitive cargo is mostly vulnerable. Malik Zeniti, project manager from DuPont notes: “The breathable highly reflective cover, which weighs less than 3 kg for sizes up to large ULD or as little as 0.7 kg for Euro or UK/US size pallets can be applied very quickly.”

Positive results have prompted Cargolux to introduce the Air Cargo Covers throughout its network for the benefit of its worldwide customers requiring additional protection for their temperature sensitive shipments. Compared to existing protection methods, Air Cargo Covers also has the advantage of being 100% recyclable.

Franco Nanna, Cargolux Head of Management Network Support says: “The initial reaction by the industry to our expanded offer – now also incorporating this single-layer thermal protection which can be recommended when expensive multiple-use thermal protection is not acceptable for cost and hygienic reasons – is very encouraging indeed”.

The cover has been launched on the Cool Chain Europe 2011 event in Rotterdam for distribution in EMEA. It is available from Cargolux Airlines on request.