Delivering Pharmaceuticals in the Face of Rising Temperatures

The pharmaceutical industry relies critically on maintaining precise temperature controls throughout its supply chain. Yet, with each passing year, global temperatures reach unprecedented highs during the summer months, and this year promises to be no exception. This intricate temperature balance is threatened, setting the stage for potential disruptions that could have far-reaching consequences for global health.??

That’s why our latest generation of hybrid containers, the 1500X , are designed to maintain a stable internal environment even as external temperatures range from +70oC to -40oC. With 270 hours of independent runtime, the 1500X containers offer an unparalleled level of reliability, critical for the pharmaceutical industry’s stringent requirements.

Extreme heat or cold has little impact on #SkyCell #hybridcontainers. Unlike active containers, no air needs to be cooled down and, unlike passive solutions, they don’t rely on insulating materials to maintain temperature, which can be insufficient in extreme conditions. They are equipped to face the adversities of the future by combining and improving on the best features of both active and passive containers.?

High Volume, High Value, Whatever the Ambient Temperature?

A customer contacted SkyCell looking to ship twenty containers worth of pharmaceutical products. These products needed to be kept strictly within 2°C to 8°C. Any temperature excursions could result in the loss of a large volume of valuable products.??

Thanks to SkyCell’s lane risk assessment tool we were able to predict that the external ambient temperatures would rise above 30°C and drop below 10°C several times.?

On the 17th of June at 9 am, SkyCell handed over twenty preconditioned 1500X-COL hybrid containers to our customer at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. The hybrid containers were loaded and flown from Amsterdam to the Middle East, and then to Incheon Airport, South Korea, where they were transported to their final destination.??

Over the five-day journey, the external temperature reached 31.2°C, yet the containers rose to the occasion, protecting the integrity of the contents and maintaining a stable internal temperature.?

One of the key features that contributed to the successful transit was the self-charge capability of the 1500X-COL hybrid containers. This allows the containers to recharge in cold chain environments such as reefer trucks or cold rooms, ensuring extended runtime and consistent temperature maintenance, even in the face of soaring temperatures.??

While global temperatures are already high, we expect to see much more extreme temperatures as we head deeper into the summer season, underscoring the need for container solutions that can meet this challenge head-on.?

Looking to the Future of the Pharma Supply Chain?

The next challenge facing pharma companies is CO? neutral supply chains, with many companies committing to reducing their Scope 3 emissions. The most effective way forward is through technology, which massively reduces CO?e.??

SkyCell’s commitment to innovation ensures that as the climate changes, the integrity and reliability of pharmaceutical delivery remain uncompromised. SkyCell develops solutions to deal with the rising challenges with temperatures and lower the CO? emissions of pharma transportation with a minimum goal of 50% less than the market average today.????

As an example, a typical customer from Germany to South Korea that transports 600 pallets of pharmaceuticals can save up to 5800tCO?e compared to active solutions.???

In order to help pharma companies integrate CO?e reductions into their supply chain activities SkyCell has also developed software tools – SkyMind as an overarching platform, SkyMind DECARBONIZE , a free tool to estimate CO? savings, and the Consulting Service, where we leverage the best practices we have developed with “early movers” in the industry that have replaced one-way solutions, reduced CO?e in comparison to active solutions and setup CO?e reduction program.?

As the world continues to grapple with rising temperatures and their impact on various sectors, at SkyCell we ensure that our products not only reduce cost and risk but also emissions. We believe this is a key point to protecting the pharma industry.???

SkyCell’s solutions offer a glimpse into the future of pharmaceutical logistics. A future where safety, security, and sustainability go hand in hand.?

Contact Michael and his team to learn about SkyCell’s sustainability efforts for a more transparent and efficient supply chain.