Innovative Container Solves Pharma Challenge – Cool Chain Shipping by Air

Cedex, France: – French cold chain shipping specialist Sofrigam S.A. says it has managed to overcome one of the most difficult challenges confronting pharmaceutical and biotech companies – the transport of temperature sensitive products and supplies via air cargo.

Sofrigam has purpose-engineered a version of its innovative Frizbox® Pallet Shipper to optimise it for air transport.

The market for cool chain distribution has expanded markedly in recent years with the advent of more specialised biotech and genetic consignments that must obey strict temperature requirements and be shipped quickly and effectively all over the world.

Pharma and biotechnology companies have long wanted to use air cargo for the distribution of highly temperature-sensitive products, to take advantage of its greater speed, security and safety.

Challenges
However, this has been made problematic by a range of particular challenges.

• Compliance with cold chain safety standards set by regulatory bodies such as FDA, AFNOR, ISTA, etc.
• Difficulties and delay in packaging and handling
• Optimisation of volumes shipped by air to limit carbon footprint

Sofrigam cold chain specialist engineer Abbes Kacimi says air cargo presents a particularly challenging environment for heat sensitive consignments.

“The logistics circuit for this means of transport is characterised by specific open or closed, hot or cold, segments such as the runway, transit and passage through customs. This circuit requires a reliable, stand-alone resource without any external energy sources, that can maintain the products within the required temperature range,” M. Kacimi explained.

Purpose-Designed Solution
Now Sofrigam has designed a pre-qualified insulated shipping packaging that is much bigger than that usually used. The Frizbox® Pallet Shipper corresponds to one quarter of an aircraft pallet, and makes it possible to load a European or US standard pallet directly into the container.

With interior volume of up to 2,000 litres, this insulated container can keeps products at controlled temperature between +2°C and +8°C, or +15°C and +25°C. All cooling is provided by gel packs inside the packaging, guaranteeing autonomy and temperature control for as much as ten days.

“This air cargo optimised version of the Frizbox concept provides a flexible, simple and economic solution for cool shipping by aircraft. It makes it possible to ship small and large volumes safely and cost effectively while complying with all international standards,” says M. Kacimi.

About Sofrigam
French company, Sofrigam S.A. designs and manufactures cool chain shipping solutions and insulated boxes for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries as well as for distribution and logistics companies.

The company was founded in 1979 by an industrial pharmacist and initially developed eutectic painkillers before specialising in the design and manufacture of insulated and refrigerated packaging.

Sofrigam offer solutions for the cold chain consignment problems experienced by the pharmaceutical industry. It offers a range of standard and made-to-measure cooling packaging products as well as customised services designed to achieve a secure, cost effective and ecological cold chain logistics.

Sofrigam has become one of Europe’s leading cold chain specialists. The company shares its expertise via seminars, publications and R&D collaborations. It also offers customised products and services designed to achieve cold logistics that are secure, cost-effective and comprehensively meet specific requirements.

Sofrigam is headquartered in Ile-de-Franc with a production site at Arras in Northern France.

For more information about cool chain shipping solutions please contact Sofrigam directly.