Two new refrigerated, or reefer, semi-trailers have been manufactured using aluminium facings instead of steel.
Injected foam panel technology was used to reduce trailer tare weight, allowing for increased payloads. The aluminium skin used on the facings has the same strength properties as a coated steel product but with a reduction in weight of more than 500 kg over standard trailers.
Features of the coated aluminium facings include zero ultra-violet and moisture penetration, with food-safe polyvinyl chloride interior coatings, tested to European standards.
The first two Serco Protec reefer semi-trailer units were delivered to Logico Unlimited in Swaziland, a fast moving consumer goods sales and distribution business.
According to Serco MD Clinton Holcroft there is a growing interest in the fitment of double-stacking systems, to maximise internal loading volume. The reduced weight of the new bodies offsets the added weight of the reinforced, double-stacking system, to enable increased flexibility for volume and payload.