Volume shippers of pharmaceutical products have the option of pallet (or multiple-pallet)-sized unit-load devices (ULDs) that go into aircraft, or to have a self-assembled box that contains the shipment, refrigerant packs, insulation and a protective cover. ULDs—many of which also contain a powered refrigeration system—are expensive and are typically leased; the self-assembled shippers are generally single-use (although components, such as the refrigerant packs, can sometimes be reused). Now, Sonoco ThermoSafe (Arlington Heights, IL) has redesigned its assembled shippers, under the Certis brand name, to provide higher efficiencies in materials and operational steps to preparing a shipment.

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