Page 21 - LUA May - June 2023 for Magzter

LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES
In the world of logistics, each product has
distinct qualities that necessitate particular
handling and shipping procedures. The
logistical challenges of transporting various
items are enormous, necessitating careful
preparation and execution to guarantee that
they arrive in optimal condition.
“The staff at airport handling facilities
must be trained on how to handle different
products. The time temperature tolerances We are investing
and handling of products differ. Staff is heavily in expanding
required to be trained on how to handle our fleet of 7,500 FAA
different products. A good example is
citrus fruit has a greater tolerance for and EASA certified
higher temperatures than table grapes. containers by an
Table grapes cannot be left at ambient additional 1,300 in
conditions for too long and deviations in
optimum temperature regimes must be 2023. This will allow
kept to a minimum. Airfreight shipments us to ensure that we
of citrus should be sent to the aircraft are always able to
before table grapes. Staff understanding
these handling conditions will assist to meet the growing
Manufacturers demand not just optimal reduce food loss and waste and improve demand for cold
networking, but also guarantee of product the shelf life of products,” said Chetty. storage solutions.
integrity for patients, given the high value With the South African Health
of pharmaceutical items, their perishable Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) FREDRIK LINNÉR
nature, and vulnerability to temperature clamping down on a number of players, ENVIROTAINER
variations. The selection of the most Good Distribution Practices (GDP)
appropriate cold chain solution makes all continues to be an important aspect of cold
the difference here. chain logistics. Temperature-controlled containers is of the pharma variety. To
“We are committed to constantly containers are an important part of this, ensure that anyone who comes across
pushing the boundaries of what is but manufacturers may struggle to find the our containers is trained to handle them
possible in cold-chain containers. Our correct solution for certain shipments. properly, we provide comprehensive
Releye range consists of giant, battery- “Tower Cold Chain offers a training programmes through our
powered, and insulated units that can comprehensive variety of sizes, volumes academy. These courses are designed
hold up to five pallets of pharmaceuticals, and temperatures, ranging from 3075 to equip attendees with the knowledge
depending on the size and model. These litres down to 26.4 litres. All solutions and skills they need to ensure the safe
units are specifically designed to maintain provide an industry standard 120+ hour delivery of pharmaceuticals and to meet
a constant internal temperature for up to protection for products that require an the requirements of a more demanding
a week once fully charged and can deal internal temperature of -80°C (ultracold), regulatory landscape,” said Linnér.
with outside temperatures of up to +49°C. -60°C (ultracold), -20°C (frozen), +5°C The African cold chain packaging
We are investing heavily in expanding (refrigerated) and +20°C (controlled business is changing dramatically, with
our fleet of 7,500 FAA and EASA certified room temperature). At Tower, we provide an emphasis on eco-friendly materials,
containers by an additional 1,300 in 2023. employees with up-to-date GDP training. sophisticated technology, reusable
This will allow us to ensure that we are As active pharmaceutical ingredients, packaging, and blockchain. These changes
always able to meet the growing demand clinical trials, small batch-shipments, and are projected to benefit the industry
for cold storage solutions,” said Linnér. commercial medicinal products become by increasing the quality and safety of
“Tower’s critical and mission-defining more stringent on quality in recent perishable goods while lowering the
objective is to improve the quality and years, awareness and education must be environmental effect of packaging solutions.
consistency of pharmaceutical deliveries enforced to ensure compliance and quality Technological advancements have
across a global market. We achieve this standards are followed,” said Ntshangase. been critical in the development and
through innovative structural design “While our primary focus is on implementation of cold chain packaging
of our passive containers, meaning pharmaceuticals, we understand that solutions in Africa. As technology advances,
pharmaceutical products stored and different products require different types the African cold chain packaging industry
transported in a Tower container, require of handling, and this is something we is expected to adopt new solutions that
zero in-transit manual intervention,” take very seriously. Approximately 99 improve the overall sustainability and
Ntshangase added. per cent of the cargo carried within our effectiveness of the supply chain.

MAY - JUNE 2023 LUA 19