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Cold Chain Logistics: Ensuring Excellence and Safety in Temperature-Sensitive Deliveries

Cold chain logistics plays a key role at the heart of the food, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries. It’s a temperature-managed supply chain that is essential for keeping products safe, maintaining their quality, and extending their shelf life. Think of a high-stakes relay race where temperature control holds the baton – its timely handover pivotal to the final victory. In this post, we break down the basics of cold chain logistics, exploring different temperature profiles required for a range of products. We’ll also delve into common challenges faced in maintaining these temperatures, and how they can be tackled effectively. Let’s unpack why understanding these temperatures is not just about regulation, but a critical component in delivering the absolute best to your customers.

Compliance and Standards: The Pillars of Cold Chain Logistics

It’s no exaggeration to say that when dealing with temperature-sensitive items, the efficiency of cold chain logistics can mean the difference between triumph and tragedy.

This is particularly evident in sectors such as food, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals, where any slip in temperature control could result in spoiled goods or worse still, a risk to public health. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately 14% of food is lost in transit, much of which is attributed to inadequate temperature control during transportation. Furthermore, The World Health Organization estimates that up to 50% of vaccines are wasted globally every year, with a large part of this being due to the lack of temperature control.

The adherence to temperature guidelines is, therefore, pivotal in the realm of cold chain logistics. These guidelines differ by sector, offering prescribed temperature ranges for storing and moving items, and are an integral part of regulatory compliance. For instance, the pharmaceutical industry follows strict guidelines for the storage and transportation of medicines and vaccines, while the food industry has specific rules for different types of products, such as dairy or meat.

In essence, these temperature guidelines incorporate different temperature profiles – optimal temperature ranges for individual types of products, which play a crucial role in maintaining product integrity. Adherence to profiles during storage and transportation helps to prevent spoilage and maintain the products at their prime condition.

Thergis places a strong emphasis on these industry-specific standards. We design thermal solutions that assist businesses in maintaining these temperature profiles, thereby helping them align with sector-specific guidelines.

Understanding Temperature Profiles in Cold Chain Logistics

An integral part of cold chain logistics lies in managing diverse temperature profiles, each meticulously tailored to different product needs. As supported by NCBI research, these aren’t just mere temperature ranges; they underpin product quality and safety in temperature-sensitive logistics.

Let us walk you through these distinct temperature ranges, each catered for by Thergis’ top-of-the-line thermal packaging solutions.

Deep Freeze (-25 °C to -30 °C): Seafood and Meat

In cold chain logistics, the Deep Freeze category, set firmly between -25 °C to -30 °C, refers to a storage or transport state where the temperature is kept at an extremely low level. This is particularly necessary for seafood and meat exports. Any degree higher can dramatically increase the risk of spoilage. Thergis’ advanced thermal packaging solutions, like our certified food-safe freezer packs, ensure maintaining these sub-zero temperatures, thereby preserving the quality of your goods and upholding your market reputation.

Frozen (-10 °C to -20 °C): Meat and Other Produce

Next is the Frozen range, between -10 °C to -20 °C. This term refers to a state where the temperature is kept below the freezing point, suitable for various types of produce and meat. These items need to keep their farm-fresh quality throughout transit, a feat realised through Thergis’ innovative thermal packaging products. They ensure a consistently frozen environment, preserving product freshness from source to destination.

Chill (2 °C to 4 °C): Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Meats, and Dairy Products

The Chill zone, with temperatures between 2 °C to 4 °C, is a term used to describe an environment where the temperature is kept just above the freezing point. It’s the sweet spot for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and certain dairy products. Our reusable puncture-resistant gel packs have a weight and coolant comparison approximately 2 times that of ice, ensuring your products reach their destination as fresh as when they were harvested.

Pharma (2 °C to 8 °C): Medicines and Vaccines

The Pharma range, a precise 2 °C to 8 °C, is a term used to indicate a specific temperature range crucial for transporting medicines and vaccines safely. Thergis’ state-of-the-art thermal health and pharmaceutical packaging offers stringent temperature control for these life-saving products, ensuring they maintain their efficacy from production to application.

Cool-Chain (12 °C to 14 °C): Fresh Produce, Processed Food, Over-The-Counter Drugs

Finally, the Cool-Chain category defines a cold-chain logistics process specifically designed for products that require temperatures between 12 °C to 14 °C. This is perfect for fresh produce, processed foods, and over-the-counter drugs. Thergis’ foil-insulated foam box liners assure product quality and safety during transit, thereby guaranteeing customer satisfaction.

Potential Challenges and Solutions in Cold Chain Logistics

Cold chain logistics is full of significant benefits, but it’s not without its hurdles. Thergis steps in to combat these challenges, allowing you to maintain the ideal temperature profile for your product under any circumstances. 

Tackling Fluctuating External Conditions

Varying climates and temperature changes during transportation can greatly affect your product’s temperature profile. Here at Thergis, we tackle these fluctuations head-on. We incorporate advanced insulation materials like our custom-designed gel packs and liners into our packaging solutions. The result? Your product’s safety and quality remain uncompromised, irrespective of external conditions. 

Overcoming Long Transit Times

Extended transit periods may threaten the perfect temperature profile, risking product quality. But with Thergis, this is no longer a concern. Our advanced insulation and temperature control technologies maintain product safety and quality, even over long journeys. One of our solutions is our container liners which provide excellent thermal insulation and protect against damage caused by extreme temperature changes and moisture ingress. 

Meeting Diverse Geographical Requirements

Different locations have different temperature rules and needs. It’s tough to stick to a standard temperature control strategy. So, we don’t. We adapt. Thergis tailors packaging solutions to every location’s unique needs, ensuring that they’ll arrive safe, intact, and compliant with local regulations no matter where your goods are headed. 

Our commitment to addressing these challenges has won us the appreciation of our clients. A notable example is the Head Buyer of a smoked fish supplier who switched to Thergis gel packs. They said: “We started using Thergis gel packs around one year ago as we were experiencing issues with the previous format we were using and we didn’t feel they were keeping our products cool enough. Since then we have been able to confidently ship our award-winning smoked salmon to various countries with no issues surrounding temperature control.”

Thergis: Upholding Product Safety and Quality

By recognising challenges and developing innovative solutions, we continue to uphold our commitment to you – providing robust temperature-controlled packaging solutions that ensure product safety and quality. 

We don’t just provide solutions. We bring results that matter to you – customer satisfaction, and a solid market reputation. 

Want to know more about how Thergis can bolster your cold chain logistics? Explore our range of solutions or contact our expert team for tailored advice. 

Together, let’s take your product’s safety and quality to the next level.

Cold Chain Logistics: Ensuring Excellence and Safety in Temperature-Sensitive Deliveries

Cold chain logistics plays a key role at the heart of the food, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries. It’s a temperature-managed supply chain that is essential for keeping products safe, maintaining their quality, and extending their shelf life. Think of a high-stakes relay race where temperature control holds the baton – its timely handover pivotal to the final victory. In this post, we break down the basics of cold chain logistics, exploring different temperature profiles required for a range of products. We’ll also delve into common challenges faced in maintaining these temperatures, and how they can be tackled effectively. Let’s unpack why understanding these temperatures is not just about regulation, but a critical component in delivering the absolute best to your customers.

Jump to temperature profiles

Compliance and Standards: The Pillars of Cold Chain Logistics

It’s no exaggeration to say that when dealing with temperature-sensitive items, the efficiency of cold chain logistics can mean the difference between triumph and tragedy.

This is particularly evident in sectors such as food, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals, where any slip in temperature control could result in spoiled goods or worse still, a risk to public health. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately 14% of food is lost in transit, much of which is attributed to inadequate temperature control during transportation. Furthermore, The World Health Organization estimates that up to 50% of vaccines are wasted globally every year, with a large part of this being due to the lack of temperature control.

The adherence to temperature guidelines is, therefore, pivotal in the realm of cold chain logistics. These guidelines differ by sector, offering prescribed temperature ranges for storing and moving items, and are an integral part of regulatory compliance. For instance, the pharmaceutical industry follows strict guidelines for the storage and transportation of medicines and vaccines, while the food industry has specific rules for different types of products, such as dairy or meat.

In essence, these temperature guidelines incorporate different temperature profiles – optimal temperature ranges for individual types of products, which play a crucial role in maintaining product integrity. Adherence to profiles during storage and transportation helps to prevent spoilage and maintain the products in their prime condition.

Thergis places a strong emphasis on these industry-specific standards. We design thermal solutions that assist businesses in maintaining these temperature profiles, thereby helping them align with sector-specific guidelines.

Understanding Temperature Profiles in Cold Chain Logistics

An integral part of cold chain logistics lies in managing diverse temperature profiles, each meticulously tailored to different product needs. As supported by NCBI research, these aren’t just mere temperature ranges; they underpin product quality and safety in temperature-sensitive logistics.

Let us walk you through these distinct temperature ranges, each catered for by Thergis’ top-of-the-line thermal packaging solutions.

Deep Freeze (-25 °C to -30 °C): Seafood and Meat

In cold chain logistics, the Deep Freeze category, set firmly between -25 °C to -30 °C, refers to a storage or transport state where the temperature is kept at an extremely low level. This is particularly necessary for seafood and meat exports. Any degree higher can dramatically increase the risk of spoilage. Thergis’ advanced thermal packaging solutions, like our certified food-safe freezer packs, ensure maintaining these sub-zero temperatures, thereby preserving the quality of your goods and upholding your market reputation.

Frozen (-10 °C to -20 °C): Meat and Other Produce

Next is the Frozen range, between -10 °C to -20 °C. This term refers to a state where the temperature is kept below the freezing point, suitable for various types of produce and meat. These items need to keep their farm-fresh quality throughout transit, a feat realised through Thergis’ innovative thermal packaging products. They ensure a consistently frozen environment, preserving product freshness from source to destination.

Chill (2 °C to 4 °C): Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Meats, and Dairy Products

The Chill zone, with temperatures between 2 °C to 4 °C, is a term used to describe an environment where the temperature is kept just above the freezing point. It’s the sweet spot for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and certain dairy products. Our reusable puncture-resistant gel packs have a weight and coolant comparison approximately 2 times that of ice, ensuring your products reach their destination as fresh as when they were harvested.

Pharma (2 °C to 8 °C): Medicines and Vaccines

The Pharma range, a precise 2 °C to 8 °C, is a term used to indicate a specific temperature range crucial for transporting medicines and vaccines safely. Thergis’ state-of-the-art thermal health and pharmaceutical packaging offers stringent temperature control for these life-saving products, ensuring they maintain their efficacy from production to application.

Cool-Chain (12 °C to 14 °C): Fresh Produce, Processed Food, Over-The-Counter Drugs

Finally, the Cool-Chain category defines a cold-chain logistics process specifically designed for products that require temperatures between 12 °C to 14 °C. This is perfect for fresh produce, processed foods, and over-the-counter drugs. Thergis’ foil-insulated foam box liners assure product quality and safety during transit, thereby guaranteeing customer satisfaction.

Potential Challenges and Solutions in Cold Chain Logistics

Cold chain logistics is full of significant benefits, but it’s not without its hurdles. Thergis steps in to combat these challenges, allowing you to maintain the ideal temperature profile for your product under any circumstances. 

Tackling Fluctuating External Conditions

Varying climates and temperature changes during transportation can greatly affect your product’s temperature profile. Here at Thergis, we tackle these fluctuations head-on. We incorporate advanced insulation materials like our custom-designed gel packs and liners into our packaging solutions. The result? Your product’s safety and quality remain uncompromised, irrespective of external conditions. 

Overcoming Long Transit Times

Extended transit periods may threaten the perfect temperature profile, risking product quality. But with Thergis, this is no longer a concern. Our advanced insulation and temperature control technologies maintain product safety and quality, even over long journeys. One of our solutions is our container liners that not only provide excellent thermal insulation but also protect against damage caused by extreme temperature changes and moisture ingress. 

Meeting Diverse Geographical Requirements

Different locations have different temperature rules and needs. It’s tough to stick to a standard temperature control strategy. So, we don’t. We adapt. Thergis tailors packaging solutions to the unique needs of every location, ensuring that no matter where your goods are headed, they’ll arrive safe, intact, and compliant with local regulations. 

Our commitment to addressing these challenges has won us the appreciation of our clients. A notable example is the Head Buyer of a smoked fish supplier who switched to Thergis gel packs. They said: “We started using Thergis gel packs around one year ago as we were experiencing issues with the previous format we were using and we didn’t feel they were keeping our products cool enough. Since then we have been able to confidently ship our award-winning smoked salmon to various countries with no issues surrounding temperature control.”

Thergis: Upholding Product Safety and Quality

By recognising challenges and developing innovative solutions, we continue to uphold our commitment to you – providing robust temperature-controlled packaging solutions that ensure product safety and quality. 

We don’t just provide solutions. We bring results that matter to you – customer satisfaction, and a solid market reputation. 

Want to know more about how Thergis can bolster your cold chain logistics? Explore our range of solutions or contact our expert team for tailored advice. 

Together, let’s take your product’s safety and quality to the next level.

To find out more call our expert team on 0115 931 6969 or contact us for more details.

Thergis®