Pharma products, such as vaccines and biological items, are highly sensitive to temperature variations, which makes advanced packaging solutions essential to preserving their efficacy throughout transit. As cold chain logistics becomes more global and interconnected, new innovations are needed to meet the demands of longer transit times, regulatory requirements, and the diverse climates goods pass through.

“In the last few years, the pharma sector’s reliance on air cargo has grown exponentially, and packaging solutions are now under more scrutiny than ever before. The challenge is not just maintaining temperatures but doing so with reliability and efficiency in a constantly changing global environment,” Rashmi Karnad, Manager Climate Control Product – Pharma at Qatar Airways, stated.

“The materials used in packaging must be environmentally friendly but still capable of providing optimal insulation. Advances in phase-change materials (PCMs) and reusable packaging solutions are making it possible to reduce waste while maintaining temperature stability,” Udit Mangal, Business Manager at Pluss Advanced Technologies, added.

Innovations

Technology is transforming the cold chain packaging landscape, with advancements in active container solutions, such as using battery-powered cooling systems to maintain strict temperature ranges.

“Active containers have revolutionised cold chain packaging, especially for long-duration international shipments where maintaining a consistent temperature is critical. These containers can offer real-time monitoring and temperature control, ensuring the product’s integrity from origin to destination,” Jonathon Haydn-Evans, Head of Sales APAC at Envirotainer, explained.

“Our passive solutions provide extended temperature control without the need for power sources, making them ideal for areas with limited infrastructure. The focus is on improving insulation efficiency, extending temperature ranges, and reducing overall shipment costs,” Neha Singh, Senior Director of Sales APAC at CSAFE, continued.

Compliance

Following stringent regulations is another challenge that cold chain packaging solutions must address, especially where temperature deviations can have significant, costly consequences.

Packaging solutions now incorporate sensors and IoT-enabled devices that allow for real-time tracking and monitoring of temperature, location, and even humidity. These solutions help companies ensure compliance with international requirements and bring greater transparency.

“In cold chain logistics, regulatory compliance is critical. Packaging solutions must meet strict guidelines set by regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Not only do these solutions need to ensure product safety, but they must also offer documentation and tracking capabilities that satisfy audit requirements,” Rituparna Chaturvedi, Head – Healthcare & Chemicals – India Sub-continent at DSV, outlined.

Opportunities and trends

The future of cold chain packaging looks promising, with numerous opportunities for innovation driven by the increasing demand for reliable and sustainable solutions. As the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries continue to grow, so too will the need for advanced solutions that can ensure the safe delivery of temperature-sensitive products.

“The use of AI in logistics is still in its infancy, but its potential to revolutionise packaging design and management is enormous. We are looking at solutions that can predict temperature variances and automatically adjust packaging configurations to ensure the product’s safety,” Haydn-Evans emphasised.

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