LOGIPHARMA - REVIEW F


INNOVATION DRIVING THE COLD CHAIN


BY Edward HARDY


AIR CARG O WEEK


C


old chain logistics has evolved far beyond basic temperature control. Sophisticated packaging now integrates digital monitoring and active control, allowing pharmaceutical operators to manage risk across the entire shipment


journey. Biologics and other innovation and operational oversight.


high-value therapies require precise handling, driving container The industry


increasingly treats


shipments as integrated systems rather than isolated movements, ensuring product integrity at every step. “The pharmaceutical landscape is at the most attractive stage that it


has ever been. I can summarise it in three ways. Product innovation in the cold chain packaging industry is at its peak. We have evolved from the T-Tech series, from a couple of decades ago, to the E-Tech series, and now we are launching RelEye, which is the most advanced active packaging solution available. Globally, including in APAC, product innovation is at its peak. APAC is also becoming a larger consumer of innovative pharmaceutical medicines, and the region is emerging as a manufacturing and development hub,” Kuntal Baveja, Regional President Asia Pacific, Envirotainer, said. The integration of


real-time monitoring allows operators to respond


proactively to temperature excursions. Containers like the RelEye RKN represent not just physical protection but a system for visibility and control. Operational capability and container innovation now work together to maintain global product integrity. “RelEye enables digital monitoring of the shipment across the entire value


chain, allowing effective risk management, which is critical to ensuring product integrity. We have now launched this product in most APAC markets. This demonstrates our commitment to providing the latest solutions to key growth markets, supporting both local and cross-border distribution. It ensures that temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals can be transported reliably while meeting the highest global standards,” he explained.


Rising demand in Asia The Asia Pacific region has become one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical regions, with consumption of innovative therapies rising rapidly. Imports of biologics are expanding, and regional populations now account for a much higher proportion of global pharmaceutical growth than two decades ago. Logistics providers must adapt quickly, building networks and infrastructure to handle larger, more complex volumes. The combination of demand growth and operational sophistication is reshaping the cold chain landscape in the region. “Twenty years ago, only 10 percent of global pharmaceutical growth


came from APAC. It is now projected to reach 30 percent, as more Asians gain access to highly innovative therapies. This is increasing the export of biologics, primarily into APAC, which is driving the cold chain pharmaceutical industry. Continuous global and regional product


innovation, increasing


consumption of innovative therapies, and APAC emerging as a manufacturing and development hub are all driving pharmaceutical growth in the region,” Baveja expressed. Companies with established networks are able to turn this growth into


competitive advantage. Strategic station placement, container availability, and locally aligned teams ensure customers have access to temperature-controlled logistics across the region. Providers that combine operational capability with advanced container technology are better positioned to meet the rising demand. “We have more than 100 stations across the world and over 11,000 active


containers to ensure availability wherever customers need it. In APAC, we have close to 30 stations, supported by cross-functional teams in the same time zone to meet customer requirements. This allows us to respond effectively to rapid market growth and maintain service quality,” he added.


Manufacturing and export hubs APAC’s growth is not only in consumption but increasingly in manufacturing. China, India, and South Korea are producing larger volumes of biopharmaceuticals, including biosimilars, positioning the region as a global export hub. This dual role amplifies the need for reliable cold chain infrastructure capable of maintaining strict temperature control from origin to international markets. Companies must coordinate container technology, local operations, and station networks to support production growth and high-value exports. “China has strongly emerged as a manufacturing hub for biopharmaceuticals,


with rapidly increasing exports. In the last five years, we have seen more biotech collaborations with Chinese companies than in the previous 20 years combined, signaling strong future growth. India is the second priority market, especially as numerous biologics lose patent protection from 2025 to 2035, driving the emergence of biosimilars. South Korea has also become a leading market for biosimilar production, gaining international prominence,” Baveja stated. India illustrates the scale of opportunity, with pharmaceutical exports rising


steadily and temperature-sensitive segments growing faster than the sector overall. Operational infrastructure, including stations and container deployment, is critical to supporting this expansion while maintaining product integrity. “India exports about $35 billion worth of pharmaceuticals, with strong


growth of 12 to 14 percent over the last three to five years, and the temperature-sensitive segment growing 18 to 20 percent, which exceeds overall pharmaceutical growth. India is a major exporter of pharmaceutical medicines, and the contribution of biologics and cold chain products will only grow in the coming years. This makes it highly relevant for Envirotainer, as our mission is to transport temperature-sensitive, time-sensitive, high-volume products from origin to destination while maintaining the highest product integrity. That is why we continue to invest in infrastructure and product innovations in India, driving improvements that benefit patients,” he outlined.


Advanced Containers and Operational Control Active containers have become a core differentiator in modern cold chain logistics. Beyond maintaining strict temperatures, they allow digital tracking and proactive risk management. Success now depends on embedding these technologies into operational workflows, coordinating stations, trained staff, and airfreight schedules to minimise handling risks. Systems-based thinking ensures every stage of the shipment journey is protected, from hub transfers to final delivery. “We are excited to launch the RelEye RKN in India. It is the most advanced


active container in the industry, confirmed by WHO guidelines as the leading container for vaccine distribution globally. It provides digital monitoring across the shipment value chain, allowing effective risk management to ensure product integrity. We have now deployed it across most APAC markets, enabling reliable distribution of vaccines and biologics. This reinforces our commitment to supporting key growth markets with the latest solutions,” Baveja said. Operational


capability networks, complements container locally based teams, and rapid response systems ensure that


shipments arrive safely across complex, multi-leg supply chains. The integration of technology, process, and people now defines the competitive edge in cold chain logistics. “What differentiates Envirotainer in the fast-growing cold chain pharmaceutical


industry is our capability. We have over 100 stations worldwide and over 11,000 active containers to ensure availability wherever customers need it. In APAC, we operate nearly 30 stations with cross-functional teams dedicated in the same time zone to meet customer requirements. This combination of infrastructure and operational support allows us to respond effectively to market growth. The growth in the cold chain industry can only be realised if capabilities match demand, which differentiates Envirotainer globally and in APAC,” he said.


www.aircargoweek.com 04 MAY 2026 ACW


“The


pharmaceutical landscape is at the most


attractive stage that it has ever been.”


11


technology. Extensive


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18