Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/212883
5 6 A Closer Look at Cold Chain Packaging Of all of the ways expanded polystyrene protects valuable resources, cold chain packaging really stands out. It is synonymous with added value and exceptional performance, particularly with products which are very sensitive to changes in temperature. EPS is an ingenious solution thanks to its two intrinsic properties – insulation performance and shock resistance. Today's demanding global commodity chains hinge on exact timing and coordination. Compounding this challenge is the fast-paced, short-lived perishable supply chains in which products can flow from source to customers within a matter of weeks, days and sometimes hours. To ensure that cargo does not become damaged or compromised throughout this process, the pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural and fishery industries rely on cold chain technology. Not all cold chains are created equal – some are longer, more rigorous and more time consuming from end to end. Land, sea and air modes all have different structures for keeping perishable products fresh throughout the transport chain. Certain supply chains may only require one transportation mode, but many times ground shipments are one link in a combination of transport modes. Cold chain concerns include: • Destination of the shipment and the weather conditions for those regions (especially extreme cold or heat); • Reliability of refrigeration equipment in the storage areas, transport vehicles and at the point of sale; • Care and skill of individuals handling the packaging. Cold chain technology demands packaging that provides the stable and reliable insulation necessary for products where an increase in temperature would be detrimental to their quality and safety. In addition to thermal impacts, sensitive food and life science products must be protected from physical impacts during transit and storage to protect their integrity. Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Distribution According to the Global Healthcare Cold Chain Logistics Market Report & Forecast (2012-2017) the demand for cold chain in the pharmaceutical and life science industry is experiencing explosive growth - the size of the healthcare cold chain market is expected to expand from its current figures of $6.7 billion to nearly $10.7 billion by 2017. Improper packaging failures involving products ranging from flu vaccines to topical creams resulted in a staggering financial loss of $1.5 million in 2012. The environmental loss is also staggering; wasted manufacturing, products and transportation does more harm to the environment than any negative impact of the packaging system itself. Of the close to 200 billion dollars in pharmaceutical distribution, about 10% are drugs that are temperature sensitive. Within the pharmaceutical industry testing, production and movement of drugs relies heavily on controlled and uncompromised transfer of shipments. If these shipments should experience any unanticipated exposure to variant temperature levels, their safety, efficacy and quality are impacted.