Testing solutions with Inter Fresh Concepts

To tackle this issue, Flora@Home teamed up with Inter Fresh Concepts in 2023. The goal was to find a reliable way to insulate plant shipments against the cold. Together, the teams ran extensive lab and field tests, including deliveries to extreme cold regions like the north of Sweden and Finland.
The tested solution combined heatpacks with specially designed insulating liners that trap warmth inside the box while blocking out cold air. “The lab results were promising,” Jesse explains. “In all cases, internal box temperatures stayed well above freezing, even during outdoor exposure in sub-zero conditions.”

Implementation challenges: cost and complexity

Despite the success in controlled tests, Flora@Home has not yet fully integrated this solution into its day-to-day shipping process. “With over 140 different box formats, the handling required for liners proved too complex and time-consuming,” Jesse says. “We’re now working on standardising our packaging, which could make future integration of these liners much more feasible.”
In the meantime, Flora@Home has experimented with other materials, such as radiator foil and bubble wrap. “But those alternatives haven’t performed as well,” Jesse notes. “Plus, our customers are increasingly critical of plastic-heavy packaging.”