Pharma and biotech
Medication distribution, clinical trial supplies and regular delivery routes place different demands on insulated packaging. The US range includes Medi Line reusable systems and Dry Ice Line for suitable frozen shipments. EPS shippers, coolant packs and thermal engineering support additional configurations. Selection starts with your shipping process and the transport requirements of the goods.
Pharmaceutical logistics
Manufacturers and wholesalers
When packaging stays with the recipient, EPS insulated shippers can be combined with the coolants required for the product. Define the box size and coolant configuration for both small and large orders. With high daily shipping volumes, storage space, coolant preparation and packing time also matter. For larger or consolidated loads, discuss dimensions, weight and handling with the US thermal engineering team.
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 organized for the next use.
Suitable packaging systems
| Shipping process | Suitable US products and services | Clarify before selecting |
|---|---|---|
| Parcel shipping without returns | EPS insulated shippers · Coolant packs | Smallest and largest shipment, time until receipt and coolant preparation. Also check whether summer and winter require different packouts. |
| Parcel shipping with organized returns | Medi Line | Return logistics and reuse must be organized; PCM coolants are prepared at the respective packing locations. |
| Frozen shipments using dry ice | Dry Ice Line | Required product temperature, payload dimensions, dry ice quantity and shipping duration. Compare the complete packout with the thermal test data and confirm carrier acceptance. |
| Regular delivery rounds | Medi Line · PCM coolant packs | 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. |
Compare the available US product lines in the pre-qualified shipping systems overview. The respective product pages provide dimensions, temperature configurations and thermal test information for Medi Line and Dry Ice Line.
Product specifications
Products requiring refrigeration are often transported at +2 to +8 °C. Other medications 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 medication’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. In the US, applicable drug quality requirements include written distribution procedures; the selected shipping process must also follow the product-specific temperature instructions.[P1]
For US drug products within its scope, 21 CFR 211.142 requires appropriate storage conditions for temperature, humidity and light. Do not assume that a storage condition alone validates a shipping packout; review the product-specific transport requirements separately.[P2]
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE · BIOTECH SHIPPING
A biotech company needed to ship a small, temperature-sensitive product below −10 °C for at least 48 hours. Dry ice was ruled out for this application. THERMOCON developed a project-specific configuration using existing components from its international portfolio.
This example uses Classic 2.2 from THERMOCON’s international portfolio. Our US team can review a locally available packaging configuration for your shipping requirements.
Product images: Classic 2.2 and Foam Brick. Components of the international project configuration.
below −10 °C
Product temperature maintained in the thermal test
at least 48 h
Achieved with the tested project configuration
without dry ice
Example from THERMOCON’s international portfolio
The product had to remain below −10 °C for the required duration under defined warm ambient conditions. The project called for a suitable combination of insulation, coolant and packout. The target was the product temperature throughout shipping, so the coolant and its placement needed to be considered as part of the complete configuration.
The compact Classic 2.2 EPS box provided the basis. THERMOCON combined it with Foam Bricks in the 520 g PCM −21 format, optimized the packout for this project and thermally tested the configuration. The coolant’s phase-change range around −21 °C is distinct from the required product temperature below −10 °C.
In the thermal test, the developed configuration kept the product below −10 °C for at least 48 hours. The customer then tested the solution under its own application conditions. Following successful tests, the customer adopted the configuration for routine shipping.
These results apply only to the tested configuration and its defined test conditions. They do not establish performance for another packout. Our US team can review your temperature range, payload, duration and shipping conditions against the local portfolio.
Related products
THERMOCON USA advice
Parcel shipments, regular delivery routes and larger loads can require different configurations. Tell us your temperature range, transit time and payload. Our US team can advise on suitable shippers, coolant packs and any custom thermal testing needed.
Last reviewed: November 1, 2026. The current product specification and the requirements applicable to the shipment remain authoritative.
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