The demand for eco-friendly construction materials, particularly in the agri-food sectors, is on the rise. Sandwich panels are gaining popularity because they combine energy efficiency, durability, and environmental benefits. This ensures that they are versatile solutions in terms of functionality and sustainability. One of the best examples is that of ArcelorMittal's Artic, a self-supporting insulating sandwich panel designed particularly for cold storage facilities.
Agri-food sandwich panels have become extremely important for designing energy efficiency and sustainable environments. Their worth adds up more significantly where applications demand high-quality thermal insulation, hygiene, and fire-resistant conditions. For example, the cold storage units and food processing facilities are key applications of sandwich panels.
Generally, the panel consists of a foam core sandwiched between two steel or metal layers of strength. Apart from ensuring adequate thermal regulation, the design provides additional strength to the structure.
ArcelorMittal Artic panel consists of the core, polyisocyanurate foam (PIR), that is encased in two steel faces. This type of construction gives high strength and superior thermal insulation, which makes it the most appropriate for the cold storage applications since it offers precise temperatures. Besides, it has fire safety, which is such an important feature. So, the Artic panel can be considered to be a very efficient option for those facilities.
Self-supporting, customizable and suited for non-load bearing vertical walls and ceilings. They can also be designed to different sizes, to meet the diversified needs of agri-food storage facilities.
High Thermal Insulation: With a heat transmission rate of up to 0.11 W/m².K, the Artic panel ensures energy efficiency by minimizing heating and cooling loads. This is particularly valuable in cold storage, where temperature control is crucial.
Fire Resistance: Artic panels have a fire reaction rating of B-s1,d0. They offer excellent resistance to flame spread and smoke development, thus providing a safer environment for storage.
Thickness Options: The Artic panel is available in different thicknesses, ranging from 60mm to a maximum of 200mm. This ensures the required level of insulation can be effectively achieved based on the specific needs.
Hygienic and Easy to Clean: The Artic panel features smooth, metallic surfaces that do not harbour dust or bacteria. It, therefore, facilitates easy cleaning and maintains hygiene in food storage and processing areas.
Energy Efficiency: Artic by ArcelorMittal, or similar sandwich panels, offers excellent thermal insulation properties. This leads to reduced energy usage, hence lowering the carbon footprint of the entire agri-food facility. Reduced heat transfer directly translates to lower cooling costs in cold storage applications.
Recyclable Materials: Artic panels are made using green materials, with steel faces and a PIR foam core that are fully recyclable. This contributes to the sustainable lifecycle of construction materials, reducing waste.
Durability and Longevity: Sandwich panels have a long lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing material waste. Their durability makes them a sound investment for agri-food facilities focusing on sustainability.
Sandwich panel roofing enhances the sustainability of agri-food buildings. These roofs offer excellent insulation and weatherproofing, helping to maintain interior temperatures while reducing energy needs. In agri-food facilities, where maintaining optimal conditions is critical, sandwich panel roofs are both practical and sustainable.
Sandwich Panel Walls are more effective at controlling thermal energy distribution than traditional walls used in cold storage facilities and processing units. They shield against external elements, reducing energy consumption by maintaining stable internal temperatures. Thus, sandwich panel self-supporting walls ensure efficient temperature control. This indicates that effective thermal management is the most crucial factor for their application in the agri-food sector. Additionally, sandwich panel configurations such as those offered by ArcelorMittal under the brand Artic have very high load-carrying capacity and maintain the necessary hygiene levels for food product storage.
PIR foam includes various types of PUF panels. Among these, PUF panels are the most effective for sandwich panel design. Their effectiveness comes from their thermal mass and lightweight properties. These panels provide strong barriers to heat transfer and leakage and are thus widely used in cold storage and controlled ambient conditions. While PIR foam is noted for its application in ArcelorMittal Artic panels, a brief reference to PUF sandwich panels and their applications—especially in tropical climates where high thermal insulation values are essential—would provide a more comprehensive overview.
Sandwich panels made of polyurethane foam are among the most energy-efficient materials used in agri-food facilities. They are thoroughly used in agri-food facilities. Like PIRs, they are good insulators with high thermal performance. The core of this sandwich panel made of PUF is between steel or aluminum faces. This limits heat transfer efficiently and reduces the cooling load. Also, these panels are light-weight but strong and are cost-effective for large cold storage units.
Sourcing high-quality sandwich panels from reputable building materials suppliers ensures that your facility benefits from the best sustainable building solutions. ArcelorMittal, with its Artic panel, provides a trusted, energy-efficient product that meets the stringent requirements of agri-food industries, particularly for cold storage. A reliable supplier can guarantee that these materials meet the necessary sustainability standards, including thermal insulation and fire safety.
Agri-food sandwich panels, such as ArcelorMittal's Artic, offer a promising solution for building cold storage facilities and processing units. Superior insulation, fire resistance, and eco-friendly materials make sandwich panels not only an environmentally sensitive choice but also a highly practical one. When selected from reputable building materials suppliers, sandwich panels offer optimal energy efficiency and durability, contributing to the sustainability of agri-food facilities.
Take your agri-food facility to the next level with sustainable sandwich panels. Contact a certified supplier today to learn more about products like ArcelorMittal's Artic and how they can benefit your next project. Save time by exploring options for core materials, thickness, and surface finishes that align with your industrial or commercial requirements.