Page 19 - LUA May - June 2023 for Magzter
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network for localised delivery, this enables
                                           us to react even more quickly to customer
                                           requests,” said Nosipho Ntshangase,
                                           Business Development Manager – Africa,
                                           Tower Cold Chain Solutions.
                                           WHAT THE CONSUMER
                                           WANTS?
                                           Africa's rapidly growing population
                                           and expanding consumer markets have
                                           boosted the need for dependable and       The use of real
                                           efficient cold chain packaging solutions.   time temperature
                                           As the continent's economies expand,      recorders within
                                           businesses such as agribusiness, medicines,
                                           and food processing strive to suit the    packaging is the
                                           changing requirements of African          most recent trend.
                                           customers while guaranteeing the safety   Exporters can
                                           and quality of their goods.
                                             “Consumers want products that are       track and trace
                                           environmentally friendly and fresh with   their products and
                                           longer shelf life and a reduction in food loss   determine if there
                                           and waste. Within South Africa the air cargo
                                           handlers are constantly reviewing concepts   were any delays
                                           to improve on the integrity of the product.   or temperature
                                           The combination of cool packaging material   excursions that will
                                           example gel packs, thermal blankets and dry
                                           ice is the latest trend within South Africa.   hamper product
                                           This is due to the geographical position of   quality.
                                           South Africa to its consumers and to reduce
                                                                                                VIJAN CHETTY
                                           food loss and waste,” said Chetty.              COLD CHAIN ASSOCIATION
                                             “With a growing prominence for
                                           personalised medicines, we are now
                                           beginning to see the advancements of   our Control Tower managed service as
                                           precision therapies in the pharmaceutical   standard with the Releye range and plan
                                           industry. There is no longer a ‘one-size-  to extend this service to all our other
                                           fits-all’ approach to medical intervention.   solutions. We’re also seeing growth in the
                                           Instead, we’re seeing a move towards bio-  market for personalised medicines and
                                           specific treatments, tailored to a particular   cell and gene therapies, which require
           Covid-19 unveiled the continent’s   individual’s needs based on their genome.   specialist -70°C transportation. To meet
         risk-prone reliance on foreign sources   In response to consumer demand, Tower   this need, we offer our CryoSure solution.
         of pharmaceutical products. However,   recently developed the KTEvolution, a   These dewars (vacuum flasks) can keep
         since then, leading pharmaceutical   container which can easily be carried by 1   a constant temperature as low as -70°
         manufacturers, such as Moderna and   or 2 people. Available in 26-litre and 57-litre   for up to three weeks and are perfect for
         BioNtech, have invested in building   options, the KTEvolution is available across   products such as clinical trials, vaccines,
         facilities in Africa.             Tower’s full temperature range and is ideal   diagnostics biospecimen and many more,”
           “This shifting trend towards producing   for the rising trend in smaller shipments   said Fredrik Linnér, Chief Business
         pharmaceutical goods within Africa   such as direct-to-patient, samples shipment,   Development Officer, Envirotainer.
         aligns also with the African Union and   and last-mile deliveries,” added Ntshangase.
         African Centres for Disease Control and   Demand for efficient and sustainable   NEED TO DRIVE
         Prevention’s goal to produce 60% of Africa’s   cold-chain transport is increasing due   TECHNOLOGY
         vaccine needs locally by 2040. With this   to the growth in the biopharma market,   Technological advancements have
         sudden influx of domestic manufacture,   which now requires more medicines that   significantly influenced the development
         cold chains will continue to be pushed to   need temperature-controlled transport.   and deployment of cold chain packaging
         globalise. Improving both the proximity and   “Our Releye range of containers   solutions in Africa. These developments
         availability of Tower containers is the safest   meets this demand with large, thermally-  have resulted in the development
         way to meet these needs, so investing in our   controlled units like the Releye RAP.   of innovative packaging materials,
         hub network remains a core focus for our   To meet our customers’ demand for   technologies, and tactics that have
         business strategy. With an optimised global   monitoring and autonomy, we also offer   enhanced the quality and safety of

          MAY - JUNE 2023                                                                                  LUA 17
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