For small volumes the counterpart is the GEBHARDT Thermobox: EPP, with a lid, 46 litres (outer size 600 x 400 x 320 mm), dishwasher-safe; the cold comes from a pre-frozen eutectic plate. For large volumes the job moves to the Isotec TBX container, from 410 up to 1500 litres.
The sum is done per trip. Single-use means a new box, new coolant and waste disposal every trip; a returnable container carries container and plate depreciation, freezing energy, washing and the empty return. The figure comes out of your own lines.
The cost of a returnable system sits in getting the container back. In a chain delivering to its own branches on a fixed route the loop is closed; with scattered customers a deposit scheme is needed. Loop time also sets how many containers circulate: ten trips a day on a three-day loop means thirty containers.
For anyone shipping to the EU, Article 29 of the Packaging Regulation (2025/40) points the way: from 1 January 2030, at least 40% of transport packaging such as pallets, plastic crates, boxes and trays used within the EU must be reusable, with 70% as the aim for 2040. Cardboard boxes are outside its scope.
