The current logistics spend for temperature-sensitive healthcare products is approximately $7.5 billion worldwide and growing, or about 12% of the overall pharmaceutical logistics market. Approximately $4.9 billion is spent on transportation while another $2.6 billion is allocated to specialized packaging and monitoring devices. But what will the needs, trends, and concerns in market look like in the next two to three years?
In order to gain a deeper understanding of this rapidly evolving market, Sonoco ThermoSafe conducted a comprehensive and forward-looking survey entitled, “Assessing The Future of The Cold Chain Industry.”
The survey consisted of two sections and covered a range of topics from innovation and performance to demographics and environmental concerns. The survey was developed by an advisory panel of industry experts from pharmaceutical manufacturers, logistics companies, media partners, independent consultants, and event managers at IQPC.
Overall, the specialized survey generated 165 respondents. One survey question asked, “In order of importance to your organization in the next two to three years, please rank the top three areas in passive temperature-controlled packaging in most need of improvement.”
Package efficiency (less packaging material, more payload) ranked first, followed by total cost of ownership and lower package price.
Next came ease of assembly, followed by reusability. Ranking lower were lower package weight, larger shipper sizes, recyclability, and fewer components.
Another question: “In order of importance to your organization in the next two to three years, please rank the top three areas in active shipping containers in most need of improvement.”
Price topped the list of respondent answers, followed by availability, more robust solutions not requiring as much special handling, and reliability.
Next came performance verification prior to delivery, ease of use, additional sizes, additional temperature ranges/settings, airport infrastructure, and import process.
The complete results and analysis of the survey will be formally presented publicly and industry-wide at the 12th-annual Cold Chain Global Forum Sept. 29-Oct. 3, 2014 in Boston.
Earlier this year, Sonoco ThermoSafe announced that it was conducting a comprehensive and forward looking survey developed by an advisory panel of industry experts from pharmaceutical manufacturing, logistics companies, media partners, independent consultants, and IQPC.
