Protective EPS packaging is successfully moulding the pharmaceutical supply chain

Kingspan Protective Packaging (KPP) specialises in supplying custom moulded, pre-cut protective packaging to businesses around the world, and is launching its products to the UK pharmaceutical sector over the next 12 months.   

Pharmaceutical packaging needs to meet increasingly stringent global regulatory requirements for the safe handling, distribution plus taking of drugs; it has also had to conform to the increasing environmental concerns over the impact of material choice and sustainability. 

The pharmaceutical supplier believes that its EPS thermal properties, cooling gel packs and vacuum insulated panels will prove invaluable in the transportation of temperature-sensitive medical supplies, ensuring the unrivalled stability of life-saving drugs and vaccines during delivery. Its excellent protective qualities far outweighs any negative impact of the packaging, which is usually only associated with discarded takeaway food waste. 

KPP’s new packaging division sales manager, Sanjit Dosanjh, who is leading the company’s operation in Britain, says that EPS packaging meets all the requirements of modern packaging with regards to the environment, given that the material is 98% air making it a lightweight and low carbon option, helping to reduce vehicle weight and transport costs. 

He says: “As well as being fully recyclable, EPS helps to reduce packaging waste, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and more critically cuts emissions. The unique bead structure ensures the packaging is durable and impact-resistant — and ideal for external storage or transfers as it repels moisture.” 

Improper packaging failures involving products from flu vaccines to topical creams resulted in a staggering financial loss of over a million pounds globally in 2012 (source: Global Healthcare Cold Chain Logistics Market Report & Forecast 2012–2017), while wasted manufacturing, products and transportation does even more harm to the environment. 

Testing, production and movement of drugs relies heavily on controlled and uncompromised shipping. If during transit certain pharmaceutical products experience any unanticipated variations to temperature levels their safety, effectiveness and quality are impacted. 

Of all the ways EPS protects pharmaceuticals and the environment, cold chain packaging for temperature sensitive products really stands out. About 10% of all global pharmaceutical distribution involves drugs that are temperature sensitive. 

KPP has over 40 years’ experience in manufacturing and supplying packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical sector. It says custom moulded and pre-cut thermal containers are the best option for protecting the integrity of sensitive medical products, offering the stable and reliable insulation necessary where an increase in temperature would be detrimental to their quality and safety. 

EPS cold chain distribution is synonymous with exceptional performance thanks to two intrinsic properties — insulation and shock resistance. The outstanding shock absorbency of expanded polystyrene packaging guarantees the protection of temperature sensitive products to markets around the world reliably and sustainably. 

Packaging must also take into account the changing demands of the medical profession. Traditionally, the majority of medicines have been packed in blister packs or fed into plastic pharmaceutical bottles. However, other methods of taking drugs are now becoming more widely used, such as intravenous, inhalation and transversal, and the industry needs to meet the requirements of different products. 

EPS can be custom-shaped to meet practically any pharmaceutical requirement. This will drive factors such as the need for flexibility in terms of various pack types and sizes, which reduces the amount of packaging, resulting in more savings on space, distribution and damaged-goods costs. 

Using EPS also provides increased focus on utilising packaging as a marketing tool for pharmaceutical products because it can be clearly marked with the contents and a company logo. Labels can be attached directly to the packaging. 

“Protective EPS packaging has the potential to play an even bigger part in Britain’s pharmaceutical industry by providing safe, sustainable, insulated products. Its flexibility makes it the perfect material for branding opportunities and for providing a range of off-the-shelf and tailored solutions,” said Mr Dosanjh. 

“We’re ideally placed to develop new partnerships with British businesses, helping with the design and testing of custom-made packaging and moulded solutions to meet practically any requirement as well as providing off-the-shelf, proven products.”