| Last year in PMPS I discussed the
current climate detailing temperate
products and temperate chain (1).
Significantly, there is an increasing
focus in Europe and America with
respect to the ‘Temperate Guideline’.
This means that manufacturers and
their logistics partners must ultimately
develop and implement compliant
temperate supply chain solutions in
order to move forward. However, it
should be noted that product classes
such as certain generics, OTCs and
APIs were historically transported
‘as is’ without the protection of packing
solutions and value-added services
providing supply chain visibility. This
point is key, as a large proportion of
these class types are low cost products.
Therefore the application of value-added
solution and services will, without a
doubt, increase the product price.
PACKAGING SOLUTIONS
Last year I touched on the variety of
temperate chain packaging solutions that
are on the market, ranging from active
containers, through to thermal blankets
and packaging solutions that incorporate
phase change materials. The majority of
these solutions are practical and maintain
product integrity, although the crucial
point is cost – often the weak link in the
chain. A balancing act is always required
between the solution’s viability with
respect to thermal performance and cost,
although, to reiterate, temperate chain packaging solutions are much more price
sensitive. |
