The Engineering Behind the PURE® Line: How Paper and Air Replace Polystyrene in the Cold Chain

The Sustainable Thermal Insulation Paradox

For decades, the pharmaceutical and food industries have considered Sintered Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) as the only viable option for effective, low-cost thermal insulation. EPS is lightweight, inexpensive, and highly efficient. However, its end-of-life cycle presents a massive logistical and environmental challenge: it occupies significant volume in warehouses and on transport vehicles, and requires specific disposal processes. Dryce's technical challenge was clear: how can we achieve the same performance as EPS—a plastic-based foam—using natural and recyclable materials? Using only cellulose-based materials, such as paper, immediately seemed not to be the answer: these materials have low thermal conductivity but need to be used in large quantities within the packaging to be efficient.

PURE THERM®: Air as the Perfect Barrier

In technical physics, stationary (still) air is one of the best existing thermal insulators, as it drastically limits heat transmission. PURE THERM® technology is based exactly on this principle. We didn't just fill a box with shredded recycled paper. We developed a multi-layered alveolar structure made of recycled paper coupled with a thin layer of PLA (polylactic acid, biodegradable). This precise geometry creates a network of small "air cells" that can be filled by those assembling the thermal packaging, using a practical automated system that creates flexible insulating panels in the sizes that best fit the shipping containers. The trapped air acts as a formidable thermal shield, providing an insulating density capable of competing directly with EPS walls.

The Complete System: PURE COOL and PURE BOX

An insulator alone is not enough to create a temperature-controlled environment. The PURE® Line operates as an integrated ecosystem:

PURE COOL:

It is the heart of the system. A non-toxic, water-based gel Phase Change Material (PCM) developed to thermostat products at positive temperatures. Its true innovation is the casing: a special film classified as C/PAP 81, which allows the customer to dispose of the entire bag in the paper bin after use.

PURE BOX:

The outer foldable shell made of high-quality corrugated cardboard, which ensures rigidity, ease of stacking, and protection against mechanical stress. An extremely flexible system that offers multiple customization possibilities.

Maximizing Circularity Without Sacrificing Performance

The adoption of the PURE® line ensures a drastic reduction in plastic materials released into the environment and maximizes recycling in a single stream (paper), simplifying life for the end user: a true example of eco-design in thermal packaging. Furthermore, all system components are supplied in a compact form, enormously reducing the space occupied in the warehouse before assembly and on vehicles during transport. Nature and engineering work together for excellent results.

PURE® is a registered trademark. The PURE system is patent pending.