Temperature-Controlled Packaging: Single-use VS Reusable
1. Life Sciences Overview
Royale International is a global leader in the provision of temperature-controlled deliveries for the Life Science and Pharmaceutical industries. Our Life Sciences Division is compliant with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) regulations worldwide which enables us to offer patient-centric, quality-driven and tailormade logistics solutions.
Driven by excellence, we provide specialist expertise in the packaging and transportation of temperature-sensitive biological products to various hospitals, labs, blood banks, universities and doctor’s offices over the world.
Here are the wide range of temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products that we transport:
- Life-saving live organs (e.g., Bone marrow)
- Pre-clinical trials/ Clinical trials (Phase 1 – 3)
- Blood samples
- Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)
- Drug development & commercial medicines.
2. Temperature-Controlled Packaging
Packaging is a fundamental part of temperature-controlled shipments as it ensures product integrity and mitigates potential quality risks throughout the journey. Furthermore, it helps to maintain the required temperature of products regardless of external environment. Apart from Credo Cubes/ CoolGuard™ PCM/ Advance boxes, two important elements are needed for temperature-controlled shipments:
- Phase-changing materials (PCMs)
- Vacuum Isolated Panels (VIPs)
2.1 Credo Cubes
Credo Cubes are used to protect valuable Life Sciences products at the right temperature. They are reusable packaging solutions and made of white plastics. They can maintain a stable temperature between 48 to 168 hours. Most logistics companies offer a wide range of cube sizes, materials, time span and temperature ranges, depending on the shipment requests. Credo Cubes are frequently used to transport sensitive medical shipments as they are reliable and able to provide a temperature-controlled environment throughout the transport of the shipment.
2.2 CoolGuard™ PCM/ Advance
CoolGuard™ PCM/ Advance boxesare used to safeguard Life Sciences products without temperature excursions. Unlike Credo Cubes, CoolGuard™ PCM/ Advance boxes are single-use packaging solutions and made of kraft. They can maintain a stable temperature between 48 to 120 hours.
2.3 Phase-changing materials (PCMs)
Phase-changing materials (PCMs)are thermal storage substances that absorb sufficient energy and provide heat at the phase change temperature (PCT). They are placed into the Credo Cubes/ CoolGuard™ PCM/ Advance boxes to avoid temperature excursions. There are 4 important steps to precondition PCMs for Life Sciences shipments (take Credo Cube™ Series 4 (2-8°C) as an example):
STEP 1: Placing PCMs in a freezer (-18c and below) for a minimum of 24 hours.
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STEP 2: Laying the PCMs flat in room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.
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STEP 3: Verifying the PCMs’ temperature with the Temperature Infra-Red gun to ensure the temperature is between 3 to 4.5°C.
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STEP 4: Assembling the packaging and placing the outer carton, package insulated base, PCMs, product, package insulated lid and temperature data logger accordingly.
2.4 VIP Panels
Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIP) provide a high degree of thermal resistance. They block the external temperature from getting into the Credo Cubes/ CoolGuard™ PCM/ Advance boxes.
3. Single-Use VS Reusable Temperature-Controlled Packaging
Single-use boxes are equivalent to CoolGuard™ PCM/ Advance boxes, while reusable boxes indicate Credo Cubes (Please refer to 2.1 and 2.2). The table below clearly illustrates the differences between these two boxes.
3.1 The cost-effectiveness of single use versus reusable temperature-controlled packaging
Single-use boxes are more cost-effective than reusable boxes due to the different materials used in the packaging. Consequently, this leads to a difference in shipment validation leading to a difference in temperature.
Single-use boxes (CoolGuard™ PCM/ Advance boxes) are made of kraft and can maintain a stable temperature for 48 to 120 hours. On the flipside, reusable boxes (Credo Cubes) are made of white plastics and can maintain a stable temperature for 48 to 168 hours. Due to the difference in material used, the cost of single-use boxes is approximately a third of reusable ones. Despite the impact of packaging material, the total cost of shipping depends on various other factors such as; box dimensions, volume ratios, weight, validation time, shipment routing and destinations.
3.2 Environment versus cost-effectiveness
Compared to single-use boxes, reusable boxes are more environmentally-friendly. Instead of utilising new boxes for each shipment, reusable packaging can be used which eventually cuts down production processes, manpower and carbon footprints.
In terms of reusable packaging, cleaning needs to be conducted in accordance with GDP guidelines. Credo Cubes need to be cleaned with a damp towel with warm water and soap or alcohol (70/30 mix alcohol to water). After drying the boxes, they can be ready for the next shipment.
Throughout the process, this reusable cycle reduces waste, greenhouse gases and pollution. Most importantly, this helps to protect the environment.
Please click here to understand more about our Life Sciences services!
Our dedicated team understands the critical nature of the industry and ensures your shipment arrives at the right time, right place and its required temperature range!
Appendixes (Temperature-Controlled Packaging)
| Type of Credo Cube | Credo Cube™ Series 4 (2-8°C) | Credo Cube™ Series 22 (15-25°C) | Credo Cube™ Series 20M (–18°C) |
| Credo Cube™ Series 4 (2-8°C) | Size (Liter) | Internal Dimensions (mm) | External Dimensions (mm) | Gross Weight (kg) | Validation Time (hour) |
| 2L | 152x 127x 108 | 235x 210x 203 | 3.3 | 48 | |
| 2L | 152x 127x 108 | 276x 251x 241 | 4.4 | 72 | |
| 3L | 130x 130x 130 | 318x 267x 279 | 6 | 120 | |
| 4L | 150x 150x 150 | 381x 343x 349 | 9.1 | 120 | |
| 4L | 150x 150x 150 | 318x 267x 279 | 5 | 96 | |
| 10L | 216x 216x 216 | 381x 343x 349 | 11 | 120 | |
| 12L | 226x 226x 226 | 381x 343x 349 | 10 | 96 | |
| 12L | 226x 226x 226 | 457x 429x 432 | 16.3 | 120 | |
| 16L | 254x 254x 254 | 419x 375x 381 | 11 | 96 | |
| 16L | 254x 254x 254 | 464x 432x 445 | 17 | 168 | |
| 28L | 305x 305x 305 | 457x 419x 432 | 16.3 | 96 | |
| 28L | 305x 305x 305 | 540x 495x 502 | 25.4 | 168 | |
| 42L | 457x 305x 305 | 616x 419x 432 | 21 | 96 | |
| 56L | 381x 381x 381 | 540x 495x 502 | 24.5 | 96 | |
| 96L | 457x 457x 457 | 762x 660x 718 | 37 | 96 |
| Credo Cube™ Series 22 (15-25°C) | Size (Liter) | Internal Dimensions (mm) | External Dimensions (mm) | Gross Weight (kg) | Validation Time (hour) |
| 2L | 152x 127x 108 | 276x 251x 241 | 4.4 | 48 | |
| 2L | 150x 150x 150 | 318x 267x 279 | 5.4 | 96 | |
| 4L | 150x 150x 150 | 381x 343x 349 | 9 | 168 | |
| 10L | 216x 216x 216 | 381x 343x 349 | 11 | 120 | |
| 12L | 226x 226x 226 | 381x 343x 349 | 10 | 96 | |
| 12L | 226x 226x 226 | 457x 429x 432 | 16 | 168 | |
| 16L | 254x 254x 254 | 419x 375x 381 | 11.3 | 96 | |
| 28L | 305x 305x 305 | 457x 419x 432 | 16.3 | 96 | |
| 28L | 305x 305x 305 | 540x 495x 502 | 25 | 144 | |
| 56L | 381x 381x 381 | 540x 495x 502 | 24 | 96 |
| Credo Cube™ Series 20M(-18°C) | Size (Liter) | Internal Dimensions (mm) | External Dimensions (mm) | Gross Weight (kg) | Validation Time (hour) |
| 3L | 130x 130x 130 | 318x 267x 279 | 7 | 96 | |
| 4L | 150x 150x 150 | 318x 267x 279 | 6 | 72 | |
| 4L | 150x 150x 150 | 381x 343x 349 | 10 | 96 | |
| 8L | 282x 165x 165 | 445x 286x 292 | 20 | 72 | |
| 12L | 226x 226x 226 | 381x 343x 349 | 12 | 96 | |
| 12L | 226x 226x 226 | 457x 419x 432 | 19 | 168 | |
| 16L | 254x 254x 254 | 419x 375x 381 | 14 | 96 | |
| 16L | 254x 254x 254 | 464x 432x 445 | 20 | 168 | |
| 28L | 305x 305x 305 | 457x419x 432 | 20 | 96 | |
| 56L | 381x 381x 381 | 540x 495x 502 | 30 | 96 | |
| 56L | 305x 305x 305 | 540x 495x 502 | 30 | 168 |
| Type of CoolGuard™ PCM Box | CoolGuard™ PCM Series 4 (2-8°C) | CoolGuard™ PCM Series 22 (15-25°C) |
| CoolGuard™ PCM Series 4 (2-8°C) | Size (Liter) | Internal Dimensions (mm) | External Dimensions (mm) | Gross Weight (kg) | Validation Time (hour) |
| 6L | 180x 180x 180 | 395x 395x 397 | 4.3 | 48 | |
| 6L | 180x 180x 180 | 395x 395x 397 | 5 | 72 | |
| 12L | 230x 230x 230 | 445x 445x 449 | 6.3 | 48 | |
| 12L | 230x 230x 230 | 445x 445x 449 | 8 | 72 | |
| 28L | 297x 297x 305 | 515x 515x 518 | 9.4 | 48 | |
| 28L | 297x 297x 305 | 515x 515x 518 | 12 | 72 | |
| 56L | 381x 381x 381 | 601x 601x 608 | 13.8 | 48 | |
| 56L | 381x 381x 381 | 601x 601x 608 | 18 | 72 | |
| 96L | 457x 457x 457 | 677x 677x 688 | 19.2 | 48 | |
| 96L | 457x 457x 457 | 677x 677x 688 | 25 | 72 |
| CoolGuard™ PCM Series 22 (15-25°C) | Size (Liter) | Internal Dimensions (mm) | External Dimensions (mm) | Gross Weight (kg) | Validation Time (hour) |
| 6L | 180x 180x 180 | 395x 395x 397 | 5 | 72 | |
| 12L | 230x 230x 230 | 445x 445x 449 | 8 | 72 | |
| 28L | 297x 297x 305 | 515x 515x 518 | 12 | 72 | |
| 56L | 381x 381x 381 | 601x 601x 608 | 18 | 72 | |
| 96L | 457x 457x 457 | 677x 677x 688 | 25 | 72 |
| Type of CoolGuard™ Advance Box | CoolGuard™ Advance Series 4 (2-8°C) | CoolGuard™ Advance Series 22 (15-25°C) | CoolGuard™ Advance Series 20M (-18°C) |
| CoolGuard™ Advance Series 4 (2-8°C) | Size (Liter) | Internal Dimensions (mm) | External Dimensions (mm) | Gross Weight (kg) | Validation Time (hour) |
| 4L | 152x 152x 152 | 310x 310x 312 | 4 | 120 | |
| 12L | 230x 230x 230 | 395x 395x 395 | 9 | 120 | |
| 28L | 300x 300x 300 | 460x 460x 470 | 14 | 120 | |
| 56L | 381x 381x 381 | 550x 550x 550 | 22 | 120 | |
| 96L | 457x 457x 457 | 626x 626x 626 | 30 | 120 |
| CoolGuard™ Advance Series 22 (15-25°C) | Size (Liter) | Internal Dimensions (mm) | External Dimensions (mm) | Gross Weight (kg) | Validation Time (hour) |
| 4L | 152x 152x 152 | 310x 310x 312 | 4 | 120 | |
| 12L | 230x 230x 230 | 395x 395x 395 | 9 | 120 | |
| 28L | 297x 297x 305 | 460x 460x 470 | 14 | 120 | |
| 56L | 381x 381x 381 | 552x 552x 558 | 22 | 120 | |
| 96L | 457x 457x 457 | 630x 630x 636 | 30 | 120 |
| CoolGuard™ Advance Series 20M (-18°C) | Size (Liter) | Internal Dimensions (mm) | External Dimensions (mm) | Gross Weight (kg) | Validation Time (hour) |
| 4L | 152x 152x 152 | 310x 310x 312 | 6 | 120 | |
| 12L | 230x 230x 230 | 395x 395x 395 | 13 | 120 | |
| 28L | 300x 300x 300 | 460x 460x 470 | 18 | 120 | |
| 56L | 381x 381x 381 | 552x 552x 558 | 27 | 120 | |
| 96L | 457x 457x 457 | 630x 630x 636 | 38 | 120 |