GEODIS Completes Global Pilot of Paper-Based Thermal Covers for Pharma Cold Chain Logistics
Global logistics provider GEODIS has completed a pilot program testing paper-based thermal covers as a recyclable alternative to conventional aluminum and foil packaging used in pharmaceutical airfreight, marking a significant step toward more sustainable cold chain logistics.
Since September 2025, the company conducted 86 trial shipments across multiple international routes, including India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The trials used two purpose-built solutions—Solaris 5 and Solaris 10—designed to replace traditional foil-based insulation systems with recyclable alternatives.
Across all routes, shipments were exposed to extreme temperature conditions ranging from -15°C in South Korea to over 40°C in India, while maintaining strict pharmaceutical temperature integrity within the +2°C to +25°C range. No critical temperature excursions were recorded during the pilot.
The trials were supported by a comprehensive cold chain network, including temperature-controlled vehicles, airline pharma services, cool dollies, and temperature-regulated warehousing at key transit points, ensuring consistent performance across diverse geographies.
GEODIS stated that the results provide valuable operational insights into the real-world use of recyclable thermal protection systems for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments.
Growing Global Pressure for Sustainable Pharma Logistics
The pharmaceutical cold chain packaging market is projected to expand rapidly over the coming years, driven by increasing biologics distribution, stricter temperature compliance requirements, and expanding global healthcare access.
As the sector scales, environmental concerns surrounding single-use packaging materials in airfreight logistics are intensifying. Foil- and aluminum-based thermal protection systems remain widely used but present challenges in recycling and waste management.
GEODIS’s paper-based Solaris covers are designed to address this gap by offering a recyclable, lower-impact alternative while maintaining performance standards required for sensitive pharmaceutical products.
Industry Shift Toward Circular Cold Chain Packaging
Industry experts have increasingly highlighted the need to move from single-use materials toward recyclable and reusable packaging systems in pharmaceutical supply chains. The GEODIS pilot aligns with this global shift toward circular logistics models.
While commercial availability and pricing have not yet been disclosed, the completion of a structured, multi-country operational trial suggests the solution is progressing beyond conceptual testing into practical validation.
The results position paper-based thermal packaging as a potential next-generation solution in global pharma airfreight, where sustainability, compliance, and performance must increasingly coexist.
