THERMOCON / KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge for Temperature-Controlled Pharmaceutical Shipping
Which thermal packaging suits your shipment? How should cooling elements be prepared? What should a test report demonstrate? Find guides, comparisons and worked examples for quality assurance, logistics and procurement in pharma and biotech.
Practical guidance
Choose the article that answers your question: compare packaging, prepare cooling elements, evaluate test data or calculate shipping costs.
Test setup with sensor leads on thermal packaging. Sensor positions are documented for the test report.
Selecting new thermal packaging
Start with the guide to selecting pharmaceutical thermal packaging. It explains which information to include in your enquiry and how to compare quotations and test evidence.
Find concise definitions in the glossary. For sizes and versions, explore prequalified systems, insulated shippers and cooling elements.
Investigating a temperature problem or calculating costs
Did the goods become too cold? The cold shock troubleshooting guide relates typical temperature histories to possible causes. It shows which packing data and sensor locations to check.
Comparing single-use and reusable packaging? The TCO calculation uses illustrative figures to show how purchasing, freight and return transport affect the cost per shipment.
Selection and temperature ranges
Match requirements, quotations and test evidence for the same shipment. Use the comparison matrix to record open points.
Check the payload, cooling elements and waiting periods against the evidence for protection from warming and excessive cooling.
Compare insulation, water and PCM for +15 to +25 °C, including preparation for warm and cold stages.
Compare temperature limits, preparation and replenishment when assessing dry ice and PCM −21 for a particular shipment.
Understanding the technology
Compare passive packaging, temperature-controlled vehicles and active containers across the full transport route.
Compare PCM data sheets by melting range, storage value, format and conditioning requirements.
Compare complete packaging using usable space, external dimensions, test evidence and reuse requirements.
Testing and the packing process
Prepare a test brief, define loads and sensor positions, and identify the evidence needed to resolve specific gaps.
Prepare coolant packs, check the packout and record deviations using the sample packing station checklist.
Investigate a temperature drop using logger records and packing data. A case sheet brings the evidence together.
Distinguish ISTA 7D, ISTA 7E and AFNOR, then compare the conditions and evidence in two test reports.
Cost and environmental impact
Plan returns, release for reuse and required stock. Use the worked examples and a log for your own cycle data.
Calculate cost per shipment with your quotations and process data, and test the effect of uncertain assumptions.
Record material and process data with their sources, and check the limits of environmental and carbon claims.
Transport and handover
Use a requirements sheet to assess payload, transport and handling, then compare pallet and parcel shipping.
Plan handover, failed delivery and repeated opening with a handover card and a delivery-round worksheet.
Discuss your shipping requirements with THERMOCON
For an initial technical discussion, useful information includes the temperature range, product dimensions and quantity, planned shipping duration and known waiting and storage times. Thermal engineering supports packaging design and testing.
Explore packaging for your shipping requirements
Know your temperature range, product quantity and shipping duration? Compare the available systems or discuss your requirements with us.