Pharma and biotech
Medicine distribution, clinical trial supplies and regular delivery rounds place different demands on insulated packaging. THERMOCON offers passive parcel, pallet and reusable systems. Selection starts with your shipping process and the transport requirements of the goods.
Pharmaceutical logistics
Manufacturers and wholesalers
Single-use systems are an option when the packaging stays with the recipient after delivery. The box size and number of coolant packs are defined for both small and large orders. With high daily shipping volumes, storage space, coolant preparation time and packing time also matter. Larger batches can be shipped in pallet systems; load dimensions, weight and handling during transfers must be considered.
Clinical trials
Clinical trial sites often receive small quantities. The packaging must maintain the temperature until receipt, even with the smallest planned shipment. This includes waiting time at goods reception and until handover to the responsible team. With reusable systems, the return of the empty box must be arranged. Trial samples sent back to the laboratory must also meet the receiving laboratory’s requirements.
Pharmacies, hospitals and veterinary care
The payload compartment may be opened several times during a delivery round. The number of stops, opening duration and remaining payload at the end of the round therefore form part of the test conditions. Return logistics, condition checks, cleaning and coolant preparation must be organised for the next use.
Suitable packaging systems
| Shipping process | Suitable system families | Clarify before selecting |
|---|---|---|
| Parcel shipping without returns | Classic Line · Paper Line | Smallest and largest shipment, time until receipt and coolant preparation. Also check whether summer and winter require different packouts. |
| Parcel shipping with organised returns | Slim Line | Return logistics and reuse must be organised; PCM coolants are prepared at the respective packing locations. |
| Consolidated batches on pallets | Pallet Line | Pallet format, load dimensions and weight, along with dwell times and handling during transfers. |
| Regular delivery rounds | Medi Line · Premium reusable case | The remaining goods must stay within the specified temperature range even after several stops. Check whether the temperature test accounts for repeated opening and a partially filled box. |
Find models, temperature configurations and the system finder in the pre-qualified shipping systems overview. You can compare models by temperature range, payload volume and transit time.
Product specifications
Products requiring refrigeration are often transported at +2 to +8 °C. Other medicines require controlled room temperature, such as +15 to +25 °C, or frozen transport according to the product specification. The manufacturer’s temperature limits or those stated on the medicine’s packaging take precedence. They must be maintained throughout the journey.[P3] To select the insulated packaging, we also need the payload quantity, starting temperature and time until receipt.
Selection and supporting evidence
The test report shows the payload, coolants and ambient temperatures used to test the system. Compare these details with your shipments and required transit time. The packing instruction specifies how the coolants are prepared and positioned. This selection process forms part of the transport requirements in the EU GDP guidelines for medicines for human use.[P1]
In the EU, wholesale distribution of veterinary medicines is subject to the GDP requirements of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1248.[P2]
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE · BIOTECH SHIPPING
A biotech company needed packaging for a small, temperature-sensitive product. The temperature had to remain below −10 °C for at least 48 hours. Dry ice was ruled out for this application, so THERMOCON investigated how existing components could meet the requirement.
Product images: Classic 2.2 and Foam Brick. Components of the described configuration.
below −10 °C
Required product temperature maintained in the test
at least 48 h
Achieved in the thermal test
without dry ice
Classic 2.2 with Foam Bricks 520 g PCM −21
The required duration had to be achieved under defined warm ambient conditions. The project called for a configuration in which the insulated box, coolant and packout were all tailored to the thermal requirement. The target was the product temperature during transport, so the choice of coolant needed to support that target.
The compact Classic 2.2 EPS box provided the basis. It was combined with Foam Bricks in the 520 g PCM −21 format. THERMOCON tailored the packout to the customer project and thermally tested the resulting configuration. The coolant's phase-change range around −21 °C is distinct from the required product temperature below −10 °C.
The configuration maintained the required product temperature for at least 48 hours in the thermal test. The customer then tested the solution under its own application conditions. Following successful tests, the customer now uses it for routine shipping.
This result applies to the tested configuration and the defined test conditions. A different temperature range, payload or shipping conditions require a suitable configuration to be assessed.
THERMOCON advice
Different systems suit parcel shipments, pallet deliveries and regular delivery rounds. Tell us your temperature range, transit time and payload. We can advise on the appropriate system size and coolant configuration.
Last reviewed: 1 November 2026. The current product specification and the requirements applicable to the transport remain authoritative.
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