In the last five years, cold chain logistics has evolved into a visible and critical component of global pharmaceutical supply chains, with pharmaceutical companies increasingly focusing on managing the process—from manufacturing to the final patient delivery.
“Pharma companies have realised that it’s not just about the end-to-end supply chain but about managing the full journey,” Kristof De Smedt, Global Business Unit Director – Cargo Covers at Cold Chain Technologies (CCT), said. “CCT plays a key role by offering a wide range of cold chain packaging solutions. What we see more now is the focus on cost savings without compromising the integrity of the product.”
The challenge, he explained, lies in choosing the right solution, which is not always straightforward: “It’s not always obvious where the weaknesses lie in the supply chain, and selecting the best solution isn’t simple.
“For instance, reusable solutions might not always be the best choice without the proper infrastructure. At CCT, we guide our customers based on their trade lanes and the product’s profile, which is where we add real value.”
Sustainable solutions
As the pharma sector grapples with the growing need for environmentally friendly practices, sustainability has become a major topic of conversation, with De Smedt emphasising the changes in packaging that have made an immediate difference.
“Sustainability has been an ongoing topic for a few years now,” he shared. “The packaging industry has never been known for its sustainability, but we’ve seen some interesting developments. For example, we’ve shifted away from traditional EPS insulation materials and developed biodegradable, reusable packaging solutions.”
CCT has also developed a paper-based insulation material that rivals the performance of traditional materials, helping to reduce CO2 emissions and offering cost-effective solutions. “It’s about being innovative while helping clients achieve both cost and sustainability goals,” De Smedt explained.
However, sustainability efforts are not solely about using reusable materials. De Smedt acknowledged that sometimes, opting for a single-use solution might be more cost-effective, especially when reverse logistics isn’t possible.
“Pharma shipments don’t always follow a balanced flow, and without reverse logistics, it’s not practical to use reusable materials,” he said. “It’s important to have these conversations early with suppliers who understand the market, rather than waiting until the end when it’s too late to influence decisions.”
Collaboration over competition
One of the most striking changes has been the shift towards collaboration, breaking down silos that once defined the industry, as the logistics ecosystem sees companies engage, not just with partners, but also with competitors, to drive innovation.
“We’ve definitely seen a shift toward collaboration, which is essential for driving innovation,” he stated. “At CCT, we’re part of associations like Pharma.Aero – A leading global Cross-industry collaboration platform bringing together Lifescience and Medtech manufacturers with the logistics stakeholders like Airlines, 3PL’s and Packaging solution providers , and we believe that working together with others in the industry—whether they’re competitors or partners—is the key to success.”
“Being siloed doesn’t work anymore. The only way to innovate and find the best solutions is through collaboration.”
Visible innovation
Digital innovation has played a crucial role in enhancing visibility, tracking, and decision-making within cold chain logistics, significantly improving data quality, which is essential for more effective supply chain management.
“Digital innovation is critical for improving supply chain transparency,” De Smedt said. “We recently launched a system called CCT Smart Solutions that consolidates information from freight forwarders and temperature control data, providing end-to-end visibility for users.”
This innovation is especially important as trends like cell and gene therapy require real-time data and precise temperature control.
“As these therapies grow, just-in-time tracking becomes more crucial. We integrate various data loggers into one platform to increase visibility, which has been really well received by our customers” he added.
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