In refrigerated transport, attention usually turns to the refrigeration unit; yet the unit only recovers heat that has already been lost. What determines the loss itself is the body: the insulation quality of the panels defines both the vehicle's energy consumption and the range of products it can carry.
The Anatomy of a Sandwich Panel
A modern refrigerated body is made of sandwich panels with high-density polyurethane foam filled between two surface layers. The surfaces are typically reinforced polyester or coated sheet metal; the real work is in the closed-cell foam core. The details that determine panel quality are invisible to the eye: homogeneous filling of the foam, continuity at panel joints, and a joint design that does not create a thermal bridge. The floor, meanwhile, is structured not to crush under load and to withstand forklift traffic.
What Does the ATP Certificate Prove?
- Documents the body's insulation and temperature-protection adequacy for international transport of perishable foods
- The vehicle is measured at an authorised test station and labelled with a mark matching its class
- The certificate is time-limited; because insulation ages over time, periodic renewal inspection is required
- Most international food loaders will not load without a valid certificate
The practical lesson for the operator is this: insulation is a living feature. Panel damage, worn door seals and unrepaired holes silently erode insulation; the refrigeration unit's increased running time is the first bill for this. A fleet that gives the body as much care as the refrigeration unit is spared surprises both in fuel and at certificate renewal.