Pallet cover keeps drugs in shape
for pallets that are currently being trialled by pharmaceutical
companies and other industries, including food manufacturers and
the military.
Developed jointly by Iretex of Dublin, Eire and Aerotrim-Polar of Warminster in England, the TranzCube takes the form of a pallet base and an insulating shroud, and is designed for use when refrigeration is not necessary or unavailable.
Paul Harrison, Aerotrim's managing director and the designer of the product, told In-Pharmatechnologist.com that Iretex had developed a thermoformed plastic replacement for standard wooden pallets, while Aerotrim supplied an insulating sleeve made of its Polartherm material.
This does away with the need for a separate under-load insulation mat and, because it is a completely enclosed system, its ability to provide effective insulation is improved, according to the firm.
AstraZeneca has adopted the technology for vaccine shipments to Japan, in the wake of that country's decision to ban the use of polystyrene in shippers. By adopting TranzCube, AstraZeneca got around the ban and can ship its product in insulated pallets that fold flat and can be shipped home for re-use.
Furthermore, the pallets weigh considerably less than regular packaging - 5kg versus 25kg - so this makes handling easier and has the added benefit of lightening the load and fuel consumption of the aircraft. They also take up less space, are recyclable and are sequentially coded to help track and trace shipments.
The TranzCube is available in sizes of 1200 x 1000, Euro Pallet (1200mm x 800mm), and half Euro Pallet (800mm x 600mm). It costs £495 for a one-off purchase, with pricing on a sliding scale depending on volume.
