Alban Shipping: Innovative Foam Mould Packing

Alban Shipping has specialised in the packing and transportation of fragile collectables for nearly 20 years. In this time they have always strived to meet and exceed customers packing requirements, and they know that for museums and galleries, ‘museum grade’ means the finest quality service and materials that can be offered.

Building all of the wooden cases and cardboard cartons in-house has allowed Alban Shipping to tailor each container for every shipment ensuring they keep client costs to a minimum without compromising on quality and safety. However, no matter how well constructed the outer box is, the item(s) contained inside require appropriate environmental protection.

Through experience and extensive research, Alban Shipping has always been at the cutting edge of packing materials; from the very basic in which Alban Shipping uses specially manufactured flexi-foam strips to protect against knocks and drops, instead of polystyrene loose-fill (within which goods can ‘travel’ inside a container presenting an immediate risk), to state-of-the-art custom made anti-humidity packing for the most valuable and delicate of consignments.

Even though Alban Shipping believe that their packing for protection against shock is more than sufficient for most items, they are leading the way again with a new innovative way to foam wrap vulnerable items. The system involves lining a container with a high-strength film and mechanically injecting Polyurethane foam that expands creating a bespoke foam cushion around the item that is highly protective and lightweight.

In a time when every company has to seriously consider the environmental impact they cause, Alban Shipping Managing Director Andrew Jackman, wanted to be sure that this new packing system had benefits over more conventional methods, “the foam is produced without chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochloroflourocarbons (HCFCs). The cushions can be re-used, or on request returned to the original manufacturer. If sent to modern waste-to-energy combustion facilities, it breaks down more efficiently than even paper or wood, and even if the packaging does end up going to landfill, it compacts to approximately 10% of its original volume, is biostable and will not degrade to pollute air or ground water”.

For further information, Alban Shipping can be contacted at museums@albanshipping.co.uk
on the telephone 01582 493099
or by visiting www.albanshipping.co.uk