GEODIS has successfully completed a series of international trials using sustainable paper-based thermal covers for pharmaceutical airfreight shipments. Developed in collaboration with a global pharmaceutical customer, the initiative supports the growing need for temperature-controlled logistics solutions that also contribute to sustainability objectives.

To meet the customer’s requirements, GEODIS introduced two paper-based thermal cover solutions, Solaris 5 and Solaris 10, designed as recyclable alternatives to traditional aluminium and foil-based covers. Since September 2025, 86 trial shipments have been successfully completed across India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

The trials demonstrated the ability of the covers to maintain temperature integrity within the +2°C to +25°C range, including under extreme weather conditions encountered during airport handling and transit operations. Temperatures ranged from -15°C in South Korea to more than 40°C in India, with no critical temperature excursions recorded during transport.

To support the operation, GEODIS combined several temperature-control measures across the supply chain, including Temperature-Controlled Vehicles (TCVs), airline Pharma Services, cool dollies and temperature-controlled warehousing. This integrated approach helped ensure the safe transport and integrity of sensitive pharmaceutical products throughout the journey.

“This project reflects the close collaboration between our teams and the customer to identify more sustainable solutions for pharmaceutical logistics,” said Tony Doyle, Key Account Manager at GEODIS in UK. The results of these trials provide valuable operational feedback on the use of recyclable thermal protection for temperature-sensitive shipments.

GEODIS is committed to working closely with customers to develop bespoke logistics solutions tailored to their operational and sustainability goals, and this initiative is a strong example of that collaborative approach in action.