By Battery Power Online
March 26, 2020 | PACT, an innovator of packaging and crating technologies, has introduced Thermo Shield, a paper-based, fire-resistant shipping wrap designed to prevent catastrophes caused by battery explosions during transport. Using technology that actively and automatically cools the internal environment of a corrugated container, the paper-based, 100% recyclable protective logistics product prevents damage to the outside shipping container, suppresses fumes or gasses from escaping, and limits external oxygen supply.
Thermo Shield comprises a lightweight pleated material with a non-toxic moisture vapor application that ensures the safety of lithium-ion products in transport. The new solution can suppress thermal runaway and propagation at temperatures up to 800°C, and restrict the temperature outside the wrap itself to 80°C.
Thermo Shield is the only paper-based wrap solution that exceeds the proposed SAE G27 lithium battery packaging performance standards for safety in shipping via air, land and sea, according to the company. The shipper also is lightweight and reusable, lending to cost efficiency both at initial purchase and during use.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a lithium battery explosion occurs during shipping once every 10 days. The urgent industry needs to mitigate these dangerous mishaps makes Thermo Shield a potentially revolutionary solution, one capable of drastically limiting the amount of thermal runaway to protect both logistics personnel and valuable cargo.
The majority of cells or battery packs are produced in Asia, leading to long transit times when shipping to the Western Hemisphere. The increase in battery shipments can lead to more opportunities for explosions. The FAA reports that as of January 22, 2020, 268 incidents involving lithium batteries have occurred on planes since 2006, including a record 48 in 2018.
“Lithium battery fires are dangerous events that happen far too often,” said Rodger Mort, President of PACT, in a press release. “Thermo Shield’s groundbreaking design allows it to suppress these serious incidents to protect freight transporters and the cargo they’re tasked with delivering.”
