If you thought refrigerated trucks were only necessary for transporting fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and frozen foods, think again. A lot of other items can be transported by refrigerated trucks.

Let's have a look at some of the diverse and most surprising things that are transported by refrigerated trucks.

1. Honey Bees

This one might sound strange, but many companies make use of refrigerated trucks for transporting honeybees. Honey bees generate an immense amount of heat, which cannot escape when you are carrying them within an enclosed cargo. As such, the heat may build up and cause problems, so the use of freezer transport services is essential in this case.

2. Animals

Have you ever wondered how zoos transport penguins? The answer is by using refrigerated transport service. Penguins need the cold to survive, and temperature control is a big issue when moving them. Moreover, if they were transported openly, then it would create furore on the road. Moving them using refrigerated delivery services hides them from the general public’s eye.

3. Christmas Trees

Come December, we all want a fresh, stunning looking Christmas tree. One issue that many of us face is the branches on our tree going bare while in transit. Chilled transport services can be the solution you need to keep your trees fresher for longer.

4. Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

This industry depends heavily on refrigerated trucks. The perfumes, cosmetics and other personal care products which you use daily have had a long journey from the factory through warehouses and stores before finally reaching you. During this extended transition period, they must be protected from spoilage. Lipstick, for example, can easily melt unless proper truck temperature is maintained. Items like perfume are also in danger of spoiling or turning sour if temperature conditions are not ideal.

5. Pharmaceuticals

It was probably an easy guess. When transporting pharmaceuticals, you may find yourself stuck in traffic or unfavourable weather conditions, so vaccines and certain medications must be kept at a low temperature to prevent spoiling. When shipping medicines, you must remember that either of excess heat or cold is harmful.

Vaccines are temperature sensitive, and the level of sensitivity varies based on what pharmaceuticals you are transporting. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated any temperature ranging between +2°C and +8°C appropriate for carrying medicines. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has likewise adopted this guideline. For example, Insulin and the seasonal flu vaccine must be shipped and stored at temperatures between 35°F and 46°F (1.667°C and 7.778°C) to prevent spoilage and contamination.

6. Tobacco Products

Though it may come as a surprise even cigars, cigarettes, and other popular tobacco products require sternly controlled temperatures to hold their freshness and quality. Exposure to excess heat dries out the leaves, and the aromatic substances are affected, as a consequence, tobacco products can become hard and brittle, and take on a sharp taste.

Most tobacco companies are now cutting costs by hiring professional third-party refrigerated transport companies instead of maintaining their fleet. The optimum range of temperature, in this case, is between 4°C and 15°C.

7. Fine Art and Antiques

Art museums take great pains to preserve the quality of the artwork they house, so it makes sense that they would apply that same standard of care during transportation. When shipping art, antiques, collectable vehicles and other valuable items control of humidity and temperature vital. The optimum temperature for the shipment of these items is considered to be about 70°F.

8. Chemicals and Hazardous Materials

Most industries require considerable quantities of chemicals and other hazardous materials that have to potential to be harmful to our health. When transporting these hazardous elements, proper temperature control is essential; otherwise, you risk catastrophic consequences.

Products that use chemicals, like films and adhesives can easily have their quality affected by heat and humidity. Moisture in the air and high heat can potentially cause dangerous reactions in other chemical products, so in these cases, temperature control is as much in the interest of safety as it is of quality control.

So, if you thought a refrigerated transport service might be necessary for your business, you could well be right! This summer, consider the distance your products have to travel and the temperature and humidity required to preserve your goods before making your decision!