Sonoco ThermoSafe Survey Reveals Future Needs, Trends of Cold Chain Industry

Sonoco ThermoSafe has revealed the results of its survey entitled ‘Assessing the Future of the Cold Chain Industry’ at the 12th annual Cold Chain Global Forum in Boston on 9 October 2014.

The survey was conducted between 26 February and 13 July 2014, and highlights forward-looking trends in areas that significantly impact the cold chain industry, including environmental, trends, logistics and products and services. The survey’s 165 respondents spanned more than 20 countries and five continents.

Survey results are available in the form of videos, an infographic and a detailed report. These resources can be downloaded at: www.thermosafe.com/survey. According to Russell Grissett, vice president and general manager of Sonoco ThermoSafe, the study contained two key takeaways:

• Due to multiple drivers including environmental concerns and the need to improve supply chain efficiencies, customers are increasingly reusing passive packaging systems
• The industry will see a stronger influence of regulations globally, while at the same time pharmaceutical companies continue to outsource non-core activities, both of which will have a dramatic impact in the next five years

"As a leader in temperature-controlled packaging, Sonoco ThermoSafe continuously strives to be at the forefront of upcoming trends and key issues that drive our industry," said Grissett. "The insights gained through this survey will help us contribute to the overall health and growth of the markets in which we participate."

The survey was co-developed by an advisory panel of industry experts representing Merck; Sanofi; AbbVie, Inc.; UPS Temperature True Packaging; IQPC (Cold Chain Global Forum); Exelsius; Healthcare Packaging; and Pharmaceutical Commerce. The results were analyzed and prepared by Kevin O’Donnell, senior partner at Exelsius.